In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has allowed Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife Dhanashree Verma’s plea to waive the six-month cooling-off period for their divorce decree ¹. This decision comes after the couple filed a joint petition seeking divorce by mutual consent.
The High Court’s order directs the family court to decide on the divorce petition by tomorrow, considering Chahal’s upcoming participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ¹. Chahal, a spinner for the Kings XI Punjab IPL team, is set to join his team for the league commencing on March 22.
The Court’s decision was influenced by the fact that Chahal and Verma have been living apart for over two and a half years and have complied with the consent terms regarding alimony payment ¹. The couple got married in December 2020 and separated in June 2022.
Initially, the family court denied their request to waive the cooling-off period, citing partial compliance with the consent terms ¹. However, the High Court overturned this decision, stating that there was compliance with the consent terms, which provided for the payment of the second installment of permanent alimony only after the divorce decree.
“Thus it is clear that there is no impediment in the facts and circumstances of the case in granting the applications… Accordingly, impugned order dated 20th February is quashed and set aside and the writ is allowed,” the High Court ordered allowing the plea.