p. 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK MATA No.379 of 2025 Sujata Behera …. Appellant(s) Represented by Adv.– Mr. A.K. Mishra, Advocate -Versus- Dr. Babaji Charan Barik …. Respondent(s) Represented by Adv. Mr. A.K. Sharma, Advocate CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE MANASH RANJAN PATHAK AND HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SIBO SANKAR MISHRA Order No. ORDER 20.07.2026 05. 1. Heard Mr. Mishra, learned counsel for the appellant-wife and Mr. Sharma, learned counsel for the respondent-husband. 2. The respondent-husband filed Civil Proceeding No. 684 of 2015 before the learned Judge, Family Court, Bhubaneswar under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 seeking dissolution of his marriage with the appellant-wife by a decree of divorce. Vide impugned judgment dated 11.09.2025, the learned Judge, Family Court, Bhubaneswar allowed the said proceeding and dissolved the marriage between the parties, which was solemnized on 26.05.2011 and directed the respondent-husband to pay Rs.30,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Lakhs) to the p. 2 appellant-wife towards permanent alimony. Aggrieved by the aforementioned judgment dated 11.09.2025 of the learned Judge, Family Court, Bhubaneswar, the appellant-wife has preferred the present appeal. 3. During the course of hearing, learned counsel appearing for both the parties submitted that the parties were desirous of exploring the possibility of an amicable settlement through mediation. Taking note of the said request, this Court, vide order dated 18.03.2026, referred the matter to the Orissa High Court Mediation Centre, Aain Seva Bhawan, Cuttack for exploring the possibility of settlement. The parties have appeared in the Mediation Centre and the mediation has been successful. Accordingly, the High Court of Orissa Mediation Centre placed on record the mediation report dated 30.03.2026, which shows that the husband and wife have resumed cohabitation and are presently residing together at the matrimonial home. For convenience of ready reference, the mediation report is reproduced hereunder:- “Both the parties are present at High Court of Orissa Mediation Centre, Aain Seva Bhawan, Cuttack. I persuaded and generated various options to settle the dispute between the parties amicably. The fact of the case in a nutshell is that, the appellant preferred appeal againt the judgement dtd.11.09.2025 passed by the learned Judge, Family Court, Bhubaneswar in Civil Proceeding No.684 of 2015 allowing the divorce filed by the respondent. Page 3 of 4 During pendency of the appeal before the Hon'ble High Court, the Hon'ble court referred the matter to the mediation Centre for amicable settlement between the parties. In the mean time, the appellant and respondent are living together happily in respondent's house. There are no disputes between the parties. Both parties are ready and willing to live together happily and peacefully without any dispute. Hence the mediation became Successful.” 4. After receiving the mediation report, the matter was placed before the Court for formal disposal of the appeal. Learned counsel for both sides jointly submitted that in view of the complete settlement of all disputes and the restoration of the matrimonial relationship, the judgment and decree of divorce passed by the learned Family Court deserve to be set aside. 5. This Court is indeed pleased to note that the parties have chosen the path of reconciliation and have resolved their matrimonial differences. Preservation of a matrimonial relationship through mutual understanding and reconciliation, wherever possible, deserves to be encouraged. Since the parties have voluntarily reunited and expressed their unequivocal intention to continue their marital life together, this Court finds no reason to allow the decree of divorce to subsist. 6. Accordingly, the Matrimonial Appeal is allowed. The judgment and decree dated 11.09.2025 passed by p. 4 the learned Judge, Family Court, Bhubaneswar in Civil Proceeding No. 684 of 2015 is hereby set aside. Consequently, the marriage between the parties shall continue to subsist in accordance with law. In view of the settlement arrived at between the parties, no further orders are required in the matter. 7. Before parting with the case, this Court places on record its appreciation for the sincere efforts made by the parties and the learned Mediator in bringing about an amicable resolution of the dispute. The Bench extends its heartfelt wishes to the appellant and the respondent for a long, happy, peaceful and fulfilling married life together. It is hoped and trusted that they shall move forward with mutual love, respect, trust and understanding, leaving behind the discord that led to the present litigation. May they be blessed with happiness and success in all their future endeavours. (Manash Ranjan Pathak) Judge (Sibo Sankar Mishra) Judge Subhasis Designation: Personal Assistant Location: High Court of Orissa, Cuttack. Date: 21-Jul-2026 18:57:37