In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has granted divorce to Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on the grounds of cruelty by his wife, Aesha Mukerji. The court found that Aesha had subjected Dhawan to mental agony by compelling him to live separately from their only son for an extended period.
Judge Harish Kumar of a family court in Delhi accepted all the allegations made by the cricketer in his plea for divorce against his wife. Notably, Aesha either did not contest these allegations or failed to defend herself in court.
While the court granted the divorce, it refused to pass any order regarding the permanent custody of the couple’s son. Instead, the judge granted visitation rights to Dhawan, allowing him to meet his son for an appropriate duration in both India and Australia. Additionally, Dhawan was permitted to engage in video calls with his son.
In its order, the court recognized Dhawan’s stature as a reputed international cricketer and expressed the hope that the Union Government of India would take up the issue of visitation or custody of the minor son with its Australian counterpart to facilitate regular meetings or chats between Dhawan and his son.
The court’s decision was based on the unchallenged testimony of Dhawan, as his wife did not contest the allegations made against her. The judge noted that despite Aesha’s assertion that she genuinely wanted to live in India with Dhawan, her commitment to her daughters from a previous marriage required her to stay in Australia. This commitment, according to her, prevented her from living in India with Dhawan.
However, the judge observed that Aesha had initially assured Dhawan of setting up their matrimonial home in India after their marriage but later backtracked from this assurance. This led to a long-distance marriage, causing immense agony and anguish for Dhawan, who was separated from his son for years.
The court’s verdict underscores the challenges and complexities that can arise in personal relationships when individuals have prior commitments, especially when children from previous marriages are involved. While Dhawan and Aesha’s marriage has ended in divorce, the focus on the best interests of their child is reflected in the court’s decision to grant visitation rights.
Shikhar Dhawan is a prominent figure in Indian cricket, known for his aggressive batting style. His personal life, including his marriage and family dynamics, has been a subject of public interest. The court’s decision will have a significant impact on his personal life and future interactions with his son.
The legal proceedings and the court’s verdict also shed light on the importance of addressing issues of cruelty and incompatibility within marital relationships through the legal system, ensuring that the rights and well-being of all parties involved are considered and protected.
