The Bombay High Court on Wednesday rejected actress Anita Advani’s appeal seeking legal recognition of her relationship with late superstar Rajesh Khanna as marriage. Justice Sharmila Deshmukh rejected Advani’s appeal challenging the earlier order passed by the Dindoshi Civil Court, which had dismissed his case on technical grounds in 2017.
Bombay HC rejects Anita Advani’s claim seeking marital recognition with Rajesh Khanna
After hearing the arguments of the lawyer representing Advani as well as the lawyers appearing for Dimple Kapadia, Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna, the high court refused to grant relief in the case. “The first appeal is dismissed,” the court said. A detailed copy of the judgment is awaited.
The legal dispute is part of the long-running proceedings between Advani and Kapadia after Khanna’s death in 2012. Advani had said that she had shared a relationship with the late actor that was worthy of the nature of marriage and had sought recognition of that status through civil proceedings.
The case is also related to an earlier lawsuit arising out of Advani’s claim that he was evicted from Khanna’s bungalow Ashirwad after his death.
In a separate legal development related to the controversy, Advani had filed a criminal complaint against Kapadia along with Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna before a magistrate court in Bandra, alleging domestic violence. However, in 2015, a coordinate bench of the Bombay High Court quashed the proceedings against him.
At the time, the court held that Advani’s relationship with Rajesh Khanna did not qualify as “in the nature of marriage” under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
The latest order is another step in Khanna’s long legal battle over claims related to his personal relationship status and related rights. More clarity is expected once the detailed decision is available.
