Conciliation Fails, Hearing In Divorce Case From Next Date: Anubhav Mohanty’s Lawyer

Bhubaneswar: Estranged Ollywood couple Varsha Priyadarshini and Anubhav Mohanty appeared at the family court in Odisha’s Cuttack city on Tuesday for a mediation session in the divorce case.

This was the second mediation session in a fortnight. After the September 15 counselling from 2.30 pm to 4.15 pm, they were asked to appear for another session, sources said.

Anubhav’s counsel Saswat Acharya told the media that the mediation was held in the judge’s chamber. “Since conciliation has failed, the trial and cross-examination in the case will begin from the next date,” he added.

The next date for hearing in the case will be known after the judge releases a copy of the order, he added.

Varsha’s counsel Sidhartha Das said they have raised an objection to a correction plea by Anubhav and the court has allowed them time to file it. “Varsha submitted that she would abide by the decision of the court on whether to hold further mediation or begin the hearing,” he added.

Earlier, the court had slapped Rs 5,000 penalty each on the couple for delaying the proceedings in the divorce case. Varsha’s plea to recall the closure order for recording her evidence was also allowed after she deposited Rs 5,000 towards costs and also filed an affidavit stating that she would not seek unnecessary adjournments. Anubhav, on the other hand, had to pay the fine to make amendments in his divorce petition regarding the place of wedding.

Notably, the family court here has been hearing the petition along with Varsha’s plea for restitution of her conjugal rights under section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, since April 5 last year, after it was transferred from Delhi following a Supreme Court order.

While Varsha is keen to save the marriage, Anubhav has time and again said that there is no room for reconciliation between them.