Kannada star Duniya Vijay thanks HC for considering mental harassment as divorce granted

Bengaluru: Kannada actor Duniya Vijay on Thursday expressed gratitude to the Karnataka High Court for considering the mental harassment he had allegedly faced over the years while granting him a divorce from his wife Nagarathna, saying his faith in the law had grown even stronger.

Taking to Instagram following the court’s order, Vijay said he had respectfully accepted the verdict of the High Court bench of Justice D.K. Singh and Justice H. Shanthi Bhushan. He also thanked senior police officer Srivatsa and Yukta Anil for supporting him.

“I have bowed to the court’s order and surrendered along with my children. My faith in the law has grown even stronger. Taking into consideration the mental harassment I have faced, I have respectfully accepted the order passed by the Hon’ble High Court judges, Justice D.K. Singh and Justice Shantibhushan. I offer my respectful gratitude for this order,” Vijay said in his social media post.

The actor thanked his fans and media friends who had stood by him throughout his life, while saying that he did not wish to discuss the matter further either in the media or in public.

Vijay said his daughters were grown up and had established their own place in society, and he did not want them to face any embarrassment because of the family dispute.

“Keeping my daughters’ future and well-being in mind, I have accepted the court’s order concerning my personal and family matter. From today, I am taking a step towards a new journey in life. Your blessings and good wishes are all I seek,” he said.

Vijay accompanied his Instagram post with the background music of his 2007 blockbuster film ‘Duniya’. The song reflects on the contradictions of love and the inability of people to sustain it, lending an emotional tone to his message.

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday dissolved the marriage between Vijay and Nagarathna, bringing an end to their long-running marital dispute. The court also directed Vijay to pay Rs 2 crore to Nagarathna as one-time alimony.

The bench considered Nagarathna’s circumstances, the couple’s three children, and Vijay’s financial standing and status in the film industry while passing the order.

The marital dispute had continued for several years. Earlier, a Family Court had rejected Vijay’s divorce petition, observing that the grounds of cruelty cited by him had not been established. Vijay, however, remained unwilling to resume cohabitation, while Nagarathna had initially opposed the dissolution of the marriage.

During the proceedings, Vijay had raised several grievances, including allegations that Nagarathna had not properly cared for his parents. Taking into account the prolonged breakdown of the relationship and the welfare of the wife and children, the High Court allowed the divorce petition and awarded Nagarathna Rs 2 crore as one-time compensation.

The court directed that the amount be paid within two months. In case of failure to make the payment within the stipulated period, Vijay will have to pay interest at the rate of six per cent per annum.

The bench also observed that the good conduct and values portrayed by public figures on screen should ideally be reflected in their personal lives. The parties have the option of challenging the order before the appropriate forum.

Vijay rose to prominence with the 2007 Kannada blockbuster “Duniya” and subsequently established himself as an actor, director and producer. He also played the principal antagonist opposite Telugu star Nandamuri Balakrishna in “Veera Simha Reddy”.

Meanwhile, Vijay’s daughter Monisha Vijay Kumar is set to make her acting debut in the Kannada film “City Lights”, directed by Vijay and featuring Vinay Rajkumar in the lead role.

IANS