[Watch] Jagrati Shukla’s ‘Domestic Abuse & Being Men’ Post Amid Court Hearing In Anubhav-Varsha Divorce Case

Cuttack: Amid Varsh Priyadarshini’s court appearances in connection with the divorce case filed by her estranged husband and Kendrapada MP Anubhav Mohanty, the latter’s ‘close friend’ Jagrati Shukla has again created a flutter by uploading a video on her Instagram account on abuse endured by man in a relationship.

Without targeting anyone directly in the 6.11-minute video, the writer-journalist said that issues related to men are not given enough recognition. “It is a myth that men cannot be harassed. We are aware of court proceedings and how perceptions are created during media trials in a man vs woman case. It makes all men unequal to all women if the legislation considers only issues pertaining to women and not men, which is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees equal rights to all,” she said.

Jagrati further said that women know how to use make-up to create a perception about self but men cannot put up a mask. “When we talk of dignity and respect, let’s talk of human dignity of humans and respect for all genders. And we talk about domestic abuse, we need to include both men and women not go by the general perception that all men are bad,” she opined.

She added she had been talking about this issue since long and not since 2020.

Notably, Anubhav filed a divorce petition before the Family Court in Patiala House, Delhi, in 2020. Later Varsha filed a petition before the Supreme Court to transfer the case to Cuttack. Acting on it, the SC had allowed Varsha’s plea on March 5, 2021, and directed the family court, Patiala House, Delhi, to transfer the original records of the case to the family court, Cuttack.

The family court here is hearing Anubhav’s divorce 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.

Amid the bitter legal feud with his wife, the actor-turned-politician posts on his ‘dearest friend’ Jagrati on social media had earlier created flutters. She was bitterly trolled by Varsha’s fans after Anubhav shared a picture of hers and his lawyer Ashwani Dubey, who he said have stood by him and been the reason for his smile. Jagrati had then warned that she would take a legal course of action against abusive comments.

Also Read: Odisha MP-Actor Anubhav Mohanty Thanks ‘Anchor’ Jagrati Shukla For Being A Friend

In February, Varsha lodged a complaint against her at Purighat police station here, alleging that she was defaming her through social media posts.

On her Facebook page, Jagrati wrote: “Got to know that a Parliamentarian’s wife has put different names in Marriage Certificate,10th Certificate, Passport, Pan Card, Bank Account, ITR and almost all documents. As well as got to know that she used her parents Surname differently (under two different categories). Does this not count as Fraud? Shouldn’t she be investigated thoroughly? Or as wife she has immunity?? Is she eligible to get all the Spouse benefits?”

While Parliament Secretary had issued a notice cancelling her Parliament Spouse Identity Card at the request of Anubhav, the Orissa High Court issued a stay on it. The actor-turned-politician had lodged a complaint against Varsha with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accusing the latter of evading tax by illegal means.