Leander Paes challenges domestic violence charges, moves court again

After two rejections by the Bandra metropolitan magistrate court, tennis player Leander Paes moved an application challenging the maintainability of the domestic violence (DV) charges filed by his estranged live-in partner Rhea Pillai in the sessions court.

After two rejections by the Bandra metropolitan magistrate court, tennis player Leander Paes moved an application challenging the maintainability of the domestic violence (DV) charges filed by his estranged live-in partner Rhea Pillai in the sessions court.

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Advocate Mrunalini Deshmukh, appearing for Pillai, said Paes approached the sessions court on April 16, challenging the domestic violence charges levelled against him.

Paes had first filed the application in February, stating a live-in relationship is not in the nature of marriage, so Pillai cannot seek relief under the provisions of the domestic violence act.

The court rejected the application on March 13, stating any aggrieved woman who is or has been in a domestic relationship with a male adult can seek relief under the Act. The court held while the allegations made by the complainant against Pillai’s character are enough to suggest torture and harassment, the provisions of the Act can be evoked as they had a daughter out of their relationship.

Paes filed the application again on April 9, demanding Pillai be cross-examined, but the magistrate court rejected it on April 30.