Bombay HC Closes Contempt Case After In-Laws Pay ₹2 Lakh Cost, Settle Family Dispute for ₹65 Lakh

The Bombay High Court has disposed of a long-running matrimonial dispute after the parties-in-law, earlier found prima facie in contempt of court, tendered an unconditional apology and paid ₹2,00,000 in costs to purge it clearing the way for a ₹65 lakh settlement between a husband, his parents, and his estranged wife.

Background

The case traces back to a Domestic Violence Act complaint filed by Respondent No. 2, the wife, against her husband (Respondent No. 3) and her parents-in-law (the Applicants), before the 50th Magistrate Court at Vikhroli, Mumbai. An order dated 27 February 2024 partly allowed her interim maintenance and let her remain in the matrimonial home. That order spawned three separate appeals before the Sessions Court, filed respectively by the wife, the husband, and the in laws each challenging different parts of the same order.

The Contempt Finding

On 3 September 2026, while these appeals and a related criminal application (No. 519 of 2024) were pending before the High Court, Justice Madhav J. Jamdar recorded prima facie satisfaction that the Applicants and the husband's sister had committed contempt of court through their conduct in the proceedings.

The Settlement

Rather than contest the contempt finding, the parties returned with Consent Terms:

The Applicants and the husband deposited ₹65,00,000 with the Court Receiver, High Court, Bombay, as full and final settlement of the wife's claims covering maintenance, stridhan, and permanent alimony.

₹15 lakh was released to the wife immediately; the balance ₹50 lakh is to be paid once the Family Court at Bandra grants a divorce by mutual consent.

The original DV case stands quashed by consent.

All three pending Sessions Court appeals are to be withdrawn within two weeks.

Possession of the disputed flat (Mahindra Splendour, Bhandup West) reverts to the Applicants.

The husband's earlier interim maintenance liability (₹30,000/month) stands discontinued.

Purging the Contempt

To close out the contempt found against them, the Applicants and the husband's sister tendered an unconditional, unqualified apology to the Court. As a condition of accepting it, the Court directed them to pay ₹2,00,000 in costs — not to the opposing party, but to two public institutions:

₹1,00,000 to the Kirtikar Law Library

₹1,00,000 to the High Court Employees Medical Welfare Fund

With the amount deposited and the apology accepted, the Court held that no further action was warranted against them.

Case Details

Case Title: Arun Sadashiv Banavali & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.

Case No.: Criminal Application No. 519 of 2024, with Court Receiver Report No. 5 of 2026

Bench: Hon'ble Shri Justice Madhav J. Jamdar

Disposal: Disposed of by consent, 16 September 2026