Cuttack: In a jolt to actor-turned politician Anubhav Mohanty, the family court in Cuttack on Friday quashed the divorce petition filed by him.
In another significant order, the court also dismissed the petitioned filed by the parliamentarian’s estranged wife and actress Varsha Priyadarshini’s seeking restitution of her conjugal rights.
Family Court Judge Swagati Das rejected the petitions on the ground that both the parties were not able to substantiate with facts the allegations and counter allegations.
“The petitioner (Anubhav Mohanty) has failed to establish preponderance of probability that the respondent (Varsha Priyadarsini) refused and avoided for consummation of their marriage and caused mental cruelty to the petitioner by her conduct towards himself and his family members. As the petitioner has failed to substantiate his pleadings, he is not entitled to get a decree of divorce in his favour in the interest of social justice.”
“At the same time, though the respondent is claiming restitution of conjugal rights, she has also made unsubstantiated allegations against the petitioner. As revealed from her evidence she is under the protection of police and she has filed some other cases against the petitioner, which are sub-judice. Therefore, allowing the prayer of restitution is not safe while the wife is not feeling secure in the house of the petitioner,” the judge ruled.
The Lok Sabha MP had filed a petition seeking a divorce from his wife Varsha Priyadarshini. His estranged wife, on the other hand, had filed a petition seeking restitution of her conjugal rights under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act.
Anubhav’s lawyer Lalitendu Mishra said that the case that Anubhav had been fighting since 2020 has now come to an end. “Varsha’s petition has also been dismissed and it means both cannot live together. The judgment will be thoroughly analysed and an appeal will be made in the High Court,” he added.
Anubhav said he has full faith in judiciary and he is confident of getting justice.
The actress, on her part, took to her X handle and posted a portrait of Lord Jagannath and wrote, “Jay Jagannath. Truth always wins.”
