Supreme Court Orders Mediation in Abdullah Divorce

The Supreme Court of India has directed former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife, Payal Abdullah, to attempt mediation to resolve their long-standing marital dispute. The couple, married in 1994 and separated since 2009, has been embroiled in a legal battle for divorce, with Omar citing grounds of cruelty and desertion. Both the family court and the Delhi High Court previously dismissed his pleas, finding the allegations vague and unsubstantiated. Despite doubts from Omar's counsel, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, recommended mediation. The next hearing is scheduled for eight weeks from now, pending a report from the mediation center.