TVK chief Vijay's wife Sangeetha Sornalingam files for divorce over alleged affair: All you need to know

TVK chief and former actor Vijay has been married to Sangeetha Sornalingam for about 25 years since they tied the knot in August 1999

vijay-sangeeta-divorce - 1 [File] Former actor and TVK chief Vijay with his wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam | Instagram

Former actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief Vijay's wife Sangeetha Sornalingam has allegedly filed a petition for divorce in the Chengalpattu family court under the Special Marriage Act 1954, which specifies grounds for divorces over issues like adultery or cruelty.

In her divorce petition, 48-year-old Sangeetha, who has been married to Vijay for about 25 years, has alleged that he had engaged in an extramarital affair with an actress, as per an ANI report.

However, other details of the alleged affair, such as the actress' name or the duration of the reported affair, have not yet been released.

The court has now issued a notice to Vijay, directing him to appear in person for a hearing on April 20. The two are yet to release a statement addressing the affair.

Sangeetha and Vijay, who tied the knot in August 1999—in line with both Hindu and Christian traditions back then—have two children: Jason Sanjay and Divya Shasha. Unlike him, his wife was lesser seen in the spotlight, choosing instead to make rare appearances alongside him at events over the years.

According to the petition filed under sections 27(1)(a) and 27(1)(d) of the Special Marriage Act, his wife had come to know of the alleged affair by 2021, at which point she reportedly said that it continued without any sign of remorse since then, despite his repeated assurances that it would end. 

"This caused her deep emotional pain and mental suffering, amounting to betrayal and violation of marital trust," her petition read.

It added that there were even efforts taken by Sangeetha's counsel between 2021 and 2022 to repair the relationship, but to no avail.

“No resolution was reached. The matter was deferred considering the children's studies and emotional well-being. The Petitioner, at no point condoned the Respondent's conduct,” the affidavit read.

The divorce petition also alleges that he had “neglected her emotionally, mentally, and physically" and had "deliberately distanced himself" from her, reportedly forcing her to live separately within their matrimonial home in Neelankarai.

Vijay has also been accused of repeatedly travelling abroad and attending public events with the actress in question.

"The actress regularly posted photographs of these outings on social media. He neither denied nor objected to these posts, thereby tacitly endorsing them. These posts, widely circulated, caused repeated humiliation to the Sangeetha and the children,” Sangeetha's counsel claimed in the affidavit.

“The Petitioner cannot continue in a relationship that has become a constant source of mental agony, indignity, humiliation and suffering. Despite being subjected to continuous public and social media humiliation arising from the Respondent's adulterous conduct, the Petitioner, being mindful of the Respondent's public reputation and popularity, made genuine and sincere efforts to resolve the matter amicably,” they added, noting that it came after two of Sangeetha's earlier attempts at mutually separating had failed as well.

With inputs from Lakshmi Subramanian