70-year-old Haryana farmer ends 44-year marriage after 11-year court battle, sells land to pay Rs 3 cr alimony

A couple from Haryana's Karnal officially ended their 44-year marriage after a Rs 3.07 crore alimony settlement in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The husband, close to 70 years old, sold his farmland to meet the agreed payment.

The couple married in 1980 and have three adult children. They separated in 2006. The husband initiated divorce proceedings citing mental cruelty, but a Karnal family court rejected his petition in 2013. He then appealed to the high court.

After 11 years in the high court, the case was referred to mediation in November 2023. The couple and their children agreed to dissolve the marriage. The husband agreed to the alimony payment.


The husband paid the alimony in parts: Rs 2.16 crore via demand draft, Rs 50 lakh in cash earned from crop sales, and Rs 40 lakh through gold and silver ornaments.

As per the agreement: “The first party (husband) has paid Rs 3.07 crore to the second party (wife) as permanent alimony. The wife and children will have no claims against the first party or his successors. Even after his death, the estate left behind will devolve as per succession, excluding the second and third party (children).”

The High Court finalized the divorce last week, acknowledging the settlement reached on November 22.

Alimony is a monetary compensation granted to the spouse who is unable to support himself/herself. In India men usually pay the alimony in the event of divorce. The court decides the amount of alimony/maintenance which is too be paid by the respective spouse after examining various parameters.