Shikhar Dhawan granted divorce with wife Aesha Mukherjee on grounds of "cruelty"

In a recent development, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has been granted a divorce from his estranged wife, Aesha Dhawan, on the grounds of "cruelty." The decision was handed down by a Delhi Court, bringing an end to their marital journey.

Shikhar Dhawan and Aesha Mukherjee had tied the knot in 2012, and they share a 10-year-old son named Zoraver Dhawan. Both Aesha and Zoraver hold Australian citizenship, and Aesha had a previous marriage that resulted in two daughters from her first husband.

The Family Court Judge Harish Kumar, after thorough consideration of the case, accepted Shikhar Dhawan's allegations against his wife, as Aesha was unable to substantiate that the accusations were false. The judge noted that Shikhar Dhawan had endured mental agony due to the circumstances created by his wife, which essentially led to a "long-distance marriage" with him living in India and Aesha in Australia, thereby keeping him apart from his son for an extended period.

In his petition, Shikhar Dhawan contended that Aesha had initially promised to relocate to India to be with him, given his inability to make a similar move to Australia due to his cricketing commitments. However, she later reneged on that promise, citing concerns about relinquishing custody of her two daughters from her previous marriage to her ex-husband.

The court observed, "He (Dhawan) for no fault of his own had been through immense agony and anguish of living separately from his own son for years. Even though the wife denied the allegation, submitting that though she genuinely wanted to live in India with him, yet she did not choose to contest the claim. The respondent, by conducting herself in this manner, has inflicted such cruelty, agony, and trauma on him that it was impossible for the petitioner to save the marriage."

Shikhar Dhawan also alleged that Aesha coerced him into transferring ownership of three properties he had purchased in Australia, with Aesha holding a 99 percent stake in one property and joint ownership in the other two.

In light of the divorce, the court has granted Shikhar Dhawan mandatory visitation rights to meet his son, both in India and Australia. Aesha has been ordered to facilitate visits to India for Zoraver to spend time with his father, including overnight stays and during school holidays.