Thalapathy Vijay, who once publicly credited his wife Sangeetha Sornalingam as the reason behind his happiness, now faces a divorce petition filed by her at the Chengalpattu Family Court
In a fresh legal filing that intersects with the growing political prominence of actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, or Vijay as he popularly known, his wife, Sangeetha Vijay, has moved the District Court at Chengalpattu seeking an interim order protecting her right to continue living in the couple’s matrimonial home in Neelankarai, along Chennai’s ECR, while their divorce proceedings are pending.
The interlocutory application, supported by an affidavit dated February 22, has been filed in connection with the main original petition seeking dissolution of marriage under Sections 27(1)(a), (b) and (d) read with Sections 36 and 37 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Along with dissolution, the main petition seeks permanent alimony and recognition of her right to residence in the matrimonial home at No. 36, Casuarina Drive, Sri Kapaleeshwar Nagar, Neelankarai, Chennai, until disposal of the case or until equivalent accommodation is provided.
In the affidavit, Sangeetha, 48, states that she has been married to Vijay for 26 years and has lived with him in accordance with his standard of living. She says she has been a “dutiful housewife,” devoting herself to managing the household, raising their two children — Jason Sanjay, 25, and Dhivya Sasha, 20 — and caring for Vijay.
The petition also notes Vijay’s dual public identity. It describes him as a “prominent and successful actor in the Tamil film industry” who later entered politics by forming the political party, “Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam,” recognised by the Election Commission of India.
Sangeetha says she attempted to resolve the marital dispute through an amicable settlement before approaching the court. However, those efforts did not succeed. According to the affidavit, Vijay, through his advocate, indicated that she would not be permitted to continue residing in the matrimonial home if she pursued legal separation.
That prospect, she says, has created an apprehension that she could be denied residential accommodation once the main petition is filed. Being a citizen of the United Kingdom with a degree in biomedical science from London, she says she currently has no alternative residence commensurate with the respondent’s status.
Her application therefore, seeks an interim order under Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, permitting her to continue living in the Neelankarai house with “all rights, amenities and facilities available to her therein” until the main petition is decided.
The residence named in the petition carries significance beyond the marital dispute. It is the same address closely associated with Vijay’s public life and political activity, a factor that lends wider attention to the case as he prepares to face his maiden electoral contest as the chief ministerial candidate of his party, TVK.
