Mumbai, India – In a significant development in the high-profile divorce case of Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife Dhanashree Verma, the Bombay High Court has intervened to fast-track the couple’s separation. On Wednesday, the court overturned a prior Family Court ruling, allowing the waiver of the mandatory six-month cooling-off period typically required under the Hindu Marriage Act. The decision paves the way for the Bandra Family Court to finalize the divorce by March 20, just ahead of Chahal’s participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, which begins March 22 with the Punjab Kings.
The couple, married in December 2020, has been living apart since June 2022. They filed for divorce by mutual consent under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act in February this year, alongside a request to bypass the cooling-off period. This statutory six-month window is designed to encourage reconciliation, but the Bombay High Court, led by Justice Madhav Jamdar, ruled it unnecessary given the couple’s over two-and-a-half-year separation.
The case hit a snag last month when the Family Court rejected the waiver, citing incomplete compliance with consent terms. Chahal had agreed to pay Verma a permanent alimony of Rs 4.75 crore, but has so far disbursed only Rs 2.37 crore and 55,000. The unpaid balance led to the initial denial, backed by a family counselor’s report flagging non-compliance. However, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday deemed the prolonged separation sufficient grounds to proceed, noting that the remaining payment could still be addressed.
Legal news outlet Bar and Bench reported the ruling on X, highlighting the court’s directive to resolve the matter swiftly due to Chahal’s IPL commitments. The decision marks a pivotal step toward concluding a saga that has drawn public attention, blending cricket, personal disputes, and legal proceedings.
Key Points: Yuzvendra Chahal to Pay Dhanashree Verma Rs 4.75 Crore in Divorce Settlement
- Divorce Ruling: The Bombay High Court waived the six-month cooling-off period for the divorce of cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma, overturning a Family Court decision.
- Timeline: The couple, married in December 2020 and separated since June 2022, filed for mutual divorce in February 2025; the family court must finalize it by March 20 due to Chahal’s IPL 2025 commitments starting March 22.
- Alimony Details: Chahal agreed to pay Verma Rs 4.75 crore in permanent alimony, but has paid only Rs 2.37 crore and 55,000 so far, causing initial compliance disputes.
- Legal Basis: Filed under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act for mutual consent; the court ruled the over two-year separation justified skipping the cooling-off period.
- Court Directive: Justice Madhav Jamdar ordered the Bandra Family Court to resolve the petition by Thursday, citing the couple’s long separation and Chahal’s upcoming cricket season.
