Anubhav Mohanty Moves HC Against Family Court’s Verdict On Divorce Plea; Hearing Today

Cuttack: Actor-turned-politician Anubhav Mohanty has moved the Orissa High Court, challenging the Family Court’s verdict in his divorce plea.

He filed the fresh petition, seeking divorce from his wife Varsha Priyadarshini, under section 19 (1) of the Family Courts Act on Monday. The matter has been listed for Tuesday. A division bench of Justices Arindam Sinha and Sibo Sankar Mishra will hear the petition, sources said.

Six years after their marriage in 2014, Anubhav had filed the divorce petition in a Delhi court  on July 6, 2020, citing non-consummation of marriage. It was transferred to the Family Court in Cuttack on the actress’ plea in the Supreme Court. On August 7, 2020, Varsha had approached the SDJM court in Cuttack in a criminal miscellaneous case against Anubhav under Section 12 of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. She had accused him of alcohol-related abuse to physical torture and financial bungling. She also demanded a monthly amount of Rs 70,000 towards house rent and maintenance.

On September 22, the Family Court here rejected the divorce petition filed by Anubhav and also dismissed Varsha’s plea seeking restitution of her conjugal rights on September 22 as the estranged couple could not prove their allegations and counter allegations.