Cuttack: Actor-turned-MP Anubhav Mohanty on Thursday accused estranged wife Varsha Priyadarshini of deliberately prolonging the Domestic Violence case by remaining absent from the counselling sessions.
Talking to mediapersons outside the SDJM court here, Anubhav said she has been avoiding the sessions despite several notices. “Though I have been regularly making an appearance in the court for a mediation in connection with the case filed by Varsha, she is not showing up,” he said.
Anubhav said that he had filed all replies to the petitions but they are yet to receive it.
“”She gets time to share posts on social media, but not for appearing before the court,” he added.
The MP said that the mediation, which has been going on for almost six months, should be stopped as it has not been fruitful.
Refuting the allegations, Varsha’s lawyer R K Rath said she could not attend the counselling because of ill-health and the court was informed about it. “It is Anubhav who has been delaying the proceedings, not Varsha. Earlier, she had appeared before the court and mediation centre several times, but Anubhav never deposed then. There is a process of law and procedures of the court. He is overlooking them and misusing his power as an MP,” he added.
It may be mentioned here that on August 31, 2020, Varsha had filed a petition before the Sub Divisional Magistrate of Cuttack under Section 12 of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, alleging that her husband used to hit her while in an inebriated state. Accusing Anubhav and his family members of stopping her from working in films, she had demanded compensation and damages for the loss of her income, medical expenses, rent and monthly maintenance totalling Rs 15 crore.
Varsha also filed a separate petition under section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act for restitution of conjugal rights.
Prior to that on July 6 last year, Anubhav had filed for divorce in Delhi, which was transferred to the family court in Cuttack on the Supreme Court ruling on March 5 this year.
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