Yuzvendra Chahal’s divorce nears end: Bombay HC waives cooling-off period, half alimony already paid

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday waived the mandatory six-month cooling-off period for Yuzvendra Chahal, which is typically required under the Hindu Marriage Act for a divorce to be finalised. The court directed the family court to expedite and decide the divorce petition filed by cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife, Dhanashree Verma, by March 20, 2025.

Chahal and Verma, who filed for divorce by mutual consent on February 5 this year, had sought an early resolution of their case, requesting that the cooling-off period be waived. The family court had initially rejected their plea on February 20, leading the couple to challenge the decision in the High Court.

Justice Madhav Jamdar, who heard the case, acknowledged the urgency of the matter due to Chahal's upcoming commitments with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chahal, a key player for the Punjab Kings team, is scheduled to join the tournament, which begins on March 22, 2025. Given his unavailability after March 21, the court directed the family court to resolve the divorce matter swiftly.

The High Court noted that Chahal and Verma had been living apart for more than two and a half years, with the couple filing a joint petition seeking divorce by mutual consent. In its ruling, the High Court took into account the fact that the couple had complied with the consent terms agreed upon during mediation, which included the payment of alimony. While the family court had pointed out that there was only partial compliance, as Chahal had paid Rs 2.37 crore out of the agreed Rs 4.75 crore, the High Court observed that the second installment of the alimony would only be due after the divorce decree was obtained.

The High Court quashed the family court’s order, stating that there was no impediment to allowing the petition to proceed and expediting the process. "There is no impediment in the fact and circumstances of the case in allowing the petition. Accordingly, the impugned order (of the family court) is quashed," the HC said.

This decision means the family court is now expected to finalise the divorce proceedings by March 20, 2025, ensuring that the matter is concluded before the IPL season begins, accommodating Chahal's professional commitments.