The Bombay High Court has directed the Bandra Magistrate Court to fast-track the divorce proceedings between Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife, choreographer and influencer Dhanashree Verma. The court instructed that a final decision be reached by Thursday, March 20, recognizing the urgency of the matter due to Chahal’s upcoming commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Justice Madhav Jamdar, who presided over the case, emphasized that Chahal’s professional responsibilities and the couple’s prolonged separation warranted an expedited resolution.
Chahal, who is set to play for Punjab Kings this IPL season, has been actively participating in the team's pre-season camp in Chandigarh since early March. Punjab Kings are scheduled to play their first match against Gujarat Titans in Hyderabad on March 25. The cricketer was also seen at the Champions Trophy final on March 9, cheering for the Indian men’s team alongside popular radio jockey RJ Mahvash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The couple originally filed for divorce by mutual consent on February 5. However, the family court refused to waive the standard six-month cooling-off period on February 20, citing partial fulfillment of their consent terms. The court observed that Chahal had paid Rs 2.37 crore of the agreed Rs 4.75 crore alimony, and a report from a marriage counsellor confirmed that mediation efforts had not been fully successful.
Determined to end the legal impasse, Chahal and Dhanashree jointly approached the High Court, challenging the lower court’s decision. Under Section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, a six-month cooling-off period is usually mandatory in divorce cases to allow the couple time to reconsider reconciliation. However, the High Court holds the authority to waive this period if it determines there’s no realistic chance of the couple getting back together.
Justice Jamdar took into account the fact that Chahal and Verma have been living separately for more than two and a half years, noting that the consent terms, particularly concerning the alimony payments, had largely been followed. He described the situation as a "rare case where there were no respondents," highlighting that both parties jointly filed the petition without opposition. The High Court further clarified that the remaining portion of the alimony payment would be made once the divorce decree is officially granted.
Speculation about trouble in their marriage had been circulating for months, especially after the couple stopped sharing pictures and posts about each other on social media. Earlier this year, rumors escalated, claiming that Dhanashree had demanded a hefty Rs 60 crore in alimony. Her family swiftly responded, calling the allegations completely false. A close family member said, “We are deeply outraged by the baseless claims being circulated about the alimony figure. Let me be absolutely clear — no such amount has ever been asked, demanded, or even offered. There is no truth to these rumors whatsoever."
Friends close to the couple revealed that while both Chahal and Dhanashree tried to make their marriage work through counseling and mediation, they ultimately decided to part ways amicably, prioritizing their individual careers and personal happiness. Dhanashree, a popular dancer and influencer, has continued to grow her social media presence and conduct dance workshops across the country. Meanwhile, Chahal remains focused on his cricketing career, determined to make a strong impact with Punjab Kings in the IPL.
With the High Court now accelerating the case, Chahal is expected to finalize his personal matters swiftly, allowing him to concentrate on his IPL commitments without ongoing legal distractions. The case has drawn widespread media attention, with fans supporting both individuals in their decision to move forward in life separately.
