Read Time: 04 minutes
In its appeal, Leander Paes has argued that Pillai was married to Sanjay Dutt when she was in a relationship with Paes and the same cannot be constituted as a domestic relationship under the Domestic Violence Act.
Tennis Player Leander Paes has moved Sessions Court of Mumbai against the order of the Magistrate Court, Bandra directing the Tennis player to pay monthly maintenance of Rs. 1 lakh to Rhea Laila Pillai and a sum of Rs. 50 thousand as rent from March 2022 in a case of domestic violence filed by Rhea Pillai.
The Magistrate Court had also directed Leander Paes to bear the expense of maintenance, education, and other necessities of the daughter Aiyana Vedika Paes until she attains majority.
Considering that Rhea should not be compelled to approach the court again in the future, the magistrate had directed to increase the said amount of Rs. 1 Lakh by 5% starting March 2023.
In the appeal, the tennis player has stated that Magistrate has erroneously proceeded to pass the Impugned Order on the basis that Leander and Rhea were in a relationship that was in the nature of marriage.
The appeal states that Rhea falsely alleged to have been in a relationship in the nature of marriage as defined under Section 2 (f) of the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 ("DV Act") with the Appellant since 2005, however she was still married to Sanjay Dutt till 2008, and she obtained a divorce from him only in February 2008.
The appeal also states that Rhea received a huge amount as alimony after her divorce from Sanjay Dutt. The relationship between Leander and Rhea irretrievably broke down post their daughter’s birth in April 2006, when she was still married to Sanjay Dutt.
The appeal is filed on the grounds that the Magistrate failed to consider that from the very inception the relationship between Peas nad Rhea was not a Domestic Relationship as defined in Section 2(f) of the DV Act.
Pillai had moved the magistrate court alleging domestic violence after Paes had filed an application for the custody of his daughter. Pillai in her petition had stated that she was in a relationship with Paes since 2003 and they stayed together between 2005-2006 before they had a daughter in 2006.
Please Login or Register
