Chengalpattu court petition brings Vijay’s personal life under legal lens

Chennai: A petition filed before the Chengalpattu Family Court has placed actor and political entrant Vijay at the centre of a personal legal battle, with his wife Sangeetha Sornalingam seeking relief under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

The 25-page petition invokes Sections 27(1)(a), 27(1)(b) and 27(1)(d) of the Act — which deal with divorce on grounds including cruelty — along with Sections 36 and 37 that provide for interim maintenance and permanent alimony. The matter is now before the family court, which typically hears such cases in camera.

According to the petition, the marital discord intensified in April 2021. One of the central allegations refers to the involvement of a “third person”, described as a prominent actor. The petitioner has stated that though assurances were allegedly given that the association would end, the relationship is claimed to have continued, aggravating the breakdown of trust.

Another ground cited is mental cruelty. The petition describes a prolonged period of emotional distance within the household, alleging that despite living under the same roof, there was minimal communication and an atmosphere of isolation. Such conduct, the petitioner contends, falls within the ambit of cruelty recognised under matrimonial law.

The third allegation relates to financial control. The filing claims that certain facilities and financial access available to her were withdrawn, leading to what has been described as economic restriction.

The petition also refers to social media activity, alleging that the circulation of photographs of the actor in question, coupled with silence in the face of public speculation, caused distress and reputational harm.

Reliefs sought include interim financial support and litigation expenses pending final adjudication.

There has been no official response from Vijay or his legal representatives at the time of writing. Legal experts note that under the Special Marriage Act, courts assess claims of cruelty on the basis of evidence and circumstances, and both parties will have the opportunity to present their case.

The development comes at a time when Vijay has sharpened his political positioning in Tamil Nadu, lending the case a public dimension beyond the personal. However, legal observers caution against drawing conclusions before the court examines the merits of the allegations.

The matter is expected to come up for further hearing in the coming weeks.