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Alimony from Previous Divorce Not a Factor in Future Matrimonial Claims: Supreme Court  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court of India in Anurag Vijaykumar Goel v. State of Maharashtra & Anr. [2025 LiveLaw (SC) 773] clarified an important aspect of matrimonial jurisprudence: alimony received pursuant to a previous divorce cannot be considered when adjudicating maintenance or alimony claims in a subsequent marriage . The decision was rendered by a bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran, and Justice N.V. Anjaria, who examined complex issues of alimony, irretrievable breakdown of marriage, and criminal proceedings under Section 498-A IPC. Case Background The appeal stemmed from a contentious matrimonial dispute between the appellant (husband) and the second respondent (wife), both of whom had previously undergone divorce and subsequently remarried. However, their second marriage broke down within two years, triggering...

  The Family Courts System in India: Evolution, Jurisdiction and Procedural Framework By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Historical Context and Legislative Genesis Prior to 1984, matrimonial and family disputes in India were adjudicated within the conventional civil court framework, resulting in protracted litigation and substantial backlog. The judicial infrastructure was inadequately equipped to address the distinct nature of familial disputes, which often necessitate specialized attention and expeditious resolution. This deficiency was formally acknowledged by the Law Commission of India in its 59th Report (1974), which emphasized the imperative to differentiate family litigation from standard civil proceedings. The Commission advocated for reformative measures aimed at facilitating amicable settlement of interfamilial disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. In response to these recommendations and recognizing the socio-legal significance of family institutions, ...