Legal Analysis: Dhananjay Rathi vs. Ruchika Rathi

Citation: 2026 INSC 360
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi (Division Bench)
Judgment Author: Justice Vijay Bishnoi
Date of Decision: April 13, 2026
Nature of Judgment: Criminal Appeal under Article 136 against High Court order refusing to quash DV proceedings.

Synopsis of the Judgment

The parties entered into a mediated settlement agreement for mutual divorce. The husband paid ₹89 lacs and returned jewellery as agreed. The wife withdrew consent before the second motion, alleging the husband promised additional jewellery worth ₹170 crores (not in the agreement). She then filed a domestic violence complaint. The High Court refused to quash the DV complaint but directed the wife to deposit ₹89 lacs. The Supreme Court held that a party cannot resile from a mediated settlement without proof of fraud, force, or undue influence. Finding the DV complaint to be an abuse of process, the Court quashed it, granted divorce under Article 142 on the ground of irretrievable breakdown, and enforced the settlement terms.

1. Basic Information of the Judgment

Field Details Case Title Dhananjay Rathi vs. Ruchika Rathi Criminal Appeal No.1924 of 2026 (arising out of SLP(Crl.) No. 1878/2026) Bench Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi Date of Decision April 13, 2026 Citation 2026 INSC 360 Appeal From Order dated 07.01.2026 of Delhi High Court in Crl. M.C. No. 116/2026

2. Legal Framework

Laws Involved:

• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Section 3 (economic abuse), Section 12 (filing complaint).

• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Section 13B (divorce by mutual consent).

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS): Section 528 (inherent powers – correspondin

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