Supreme Court Seeks Estranged Wife's Response in Omar Abdullah's Divorce Plea

The Supreme Court has requested a response from Payal Abdullah, estranged wife of Omar Abdullah, on his divorce plea citing cruelty. The plea follows the Delhi High Court's dismissal of Omar's appeal, maintaining there's no substantive proof of cruelty. The couple has been separated since 2009.

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from Payal Abdullah, the estranged wife of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on his plea seeking divorce on grounds of cruelty.

A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah issued a notice to Payal Abdullah, directing her to reply within six weeks.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Omar Abdullah, argued that the marriage was effectively over as the couple has been living separately for 15 years.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court, on December 12, 2023, dismissed Omar Abdullah's divorce plea, deeming his allegations of cruelty to be unsubstantiated.

The family court had similarly denied Omar's divorce request in 2016, stating the claims lacked sufficient evidence, either physical or mental.

Despite their long separation, the trial court noted continuous contact between Omar and Payal, undermining his case.

Married since 1994, the couple has two sons living with Payal, with Omar currently ordered to provide maintenance for their living and education expenses.