Srinagar, Oct 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced the beginning of a new chapter in his personal life, sharing photographs of himself with senior journalist Nidhi Razdan on social media.
Posting the pictures on X, Omar wrote, “A new journey began yesterday.” The photographs showed Razdan dressed in a bridal lehenga, while Omar was seen wearing a formal suit.
Responding to the post, Razdan wrote, “It’s done bro @OmarAbdullah.”
Speculation about Omar Abdullah and Razdan getting married had been circulating in Jammu and Kashmir for some time. However, the legal status of Omar’s earlier marriage had been an obstacle to the reported plans. The Supreme Court dissolved his marriage with Payal Abdullah by mutual consent on July 31, 2026, clearing the way for him to begin a new chapter in his personal life.
A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe heard the matter and invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant the divorce following a mediated settlement.
Omar and Payal Abdullah married on September 1, 1994, and had been living separately since 2009. The couple have two sons, Zahir and Zamir.
Omar had earlier sought divorce on grounds of cruelty and desertion. However, his pleas were dismissed by a family court in 2016, with the Delhi High Court upholding the decision in December 2023.
The matter was subsequently referred for mediation under the Supreme Court's direction. Following the discussions, both parties agreed to dissolve the marriage amicably. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the bench that the couple had settled all pending disputes and would withdraw the related litigation.
Nidhi Razdan, 49, is a prominent journalist and former executive editor of NDTV. Originally from Budgam district in central Kashmir, she is the daughter of senior journalist Maharaj Krishan Razdan.
She completed her schooling at Apeejay School in Sheikh Sarai, New Delhi, and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College. She subsequently obtained a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, during 1998-99.
Omar Abdullah's social media announcement has drawn attention in Jammu and Kashmir, with the photographs and the brief exchange between the two becoming a talking point.
