TV
The Bombay High Court has directed the family court to accelerate the divorce proceedings of cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma. This comes in light of the imminent start of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a prominent cricket tournament in which Chahal is scheduled to participate as a spinner for the Kings XI Punjab. The IPL season is set to commence on 22 March.
“As petitioner 1 (Chahal) is a participant of IPL, learned counsel informs that he may not be available from 21st March, the learned judge family court is requested to decide petition by tomorrow,” the Court directed.
Background of the Case:
Justice Madhav Jamdar made this decision considering the couple's separation of over two and a half years. Both parties had reached an agreement on alimony through mediation, with Chahal having partially fulfilled his financial obligations.
Legal Context:
Typically, under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, a six-month ‘cooling-off’ period is mandatory before the finalisation of a mutual divorce petition. However, the Supreme Court's 2017 ruling permits the waiver of this period if reconciliation is considered unfeasible.
Chahal and Verma, who married in December 2020, filed a joint petition in February 2023 seeking to bypass this waiting period, after having separated in June 2022. Initial refusal from the family court was grounded in partial compliance with the alimony agreement, noting that Chahal had paid Rs 2.37 crore of the agreed Rs 4.75 crore.
High Court Directive:
Upon review, the High Court confirmed that Chahal’s payment schedule was consistent with the divorce decree, allowing for the waiver of the cooling-off period.
“Thus it is clear that there is no impediment in the facts and circumstances of the case in granting the applications…. Accordingly, impugned order dated 20th February is quashed and set aside and the writ is allowed,” the High Court ordered allowing the plea.
Advocates Nitin Gupta and Aditi Mohoni represented Chahal and Verma, respectively.
