Actor-politician Vijay's wife Sankgeetha files divorce petition, alleging mental cruelty

In her plea filed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, Sankgeetha has accused her husband of maintaining an extra-marital relationship with an actress and subjecting her to persistent mental cruelty, neglect and desertion.

She stated that if required, she would implead the said actress as the second respondent in the case.

According to the petition, the marriage has broken down irretrievably, leaving her with no option but to approach the court for dissolution. The matter is likely to come up for hearing on April 10.

The petitioner has also sought that the proceedings be conducted in camera.

She urged the court to pass an interim injunction restraining social media platforms, YouTube channels, Facebook pages, and print and digital media outlets from publishing or hosting interviews, discussions, or any material related to the case.

Without such restraint, she submitted, she and her family would be subjected to further humiliation and mental agony.

Sankgeetha alleged that since 2021, the respondent had emotionally withdrawn, treated her with verbal disdain, and subjected her to what she described as “constructive desertion,” forcing her to live separately within the matrimonial home.

She further claimed that his continued open association with the actress caused her emotional distress and led to embarrassment for their children among peers, social circles, and on social media.

Stating that she wished to avoid unnecessary publicity and protect the reputation of all parties involved, the petitioner said she was refraining from disclosing the name of the actress at this stage.

However, she reserved the right to implead the individual if warranted during the proceedings.

The petition also noted that between August 2024 and February 2025, legal notices and correspondence were exchanged between the parties in an attempt to resolve the dispute amicably.

Additionally, Sankgeetha made two personal attempts to arrive at a mutually acceptable settlement, the last being on November 9, 2025. Both efforts, she said, failed despite her intention to avoid harming the respondent’s public standing.

Who is Samkgeetha Sornalingam?

Reportedly born and raised in the United Kingdom, Sankgeetha comes from a Sri Lankan Tamil family. Her father was a Tamil industrialist who later settled in the UK.

Vijay’s career took a major leap forward following the success of Poove Unakkaga in 1996. Around that time, Sankgeetha, who was living in London, travelled to Chennai to meet the actor. Vijay was said to be shooting at Film City when she visited to congratulate him on the film’s success.

Impressed by her warmth and straightforward nature, Vijay reportedly invited her home and introduced her to his parents. With both families remaining in touch, Vijay’s parents later travelled to London to meet Sankgeetha’s family.

With the consent of both sides, the couple agreed to marry. Though Vijay is a Christian and Sankgeetha is a Hindu, they chose to have a Hindu wedding ceremony, followed by a reception in Chennai.

The couple’s marriage was first registered on July 10, 1998, in the United Kingdom. A ceremonial wedding was later held on August 25, 1999, in Chennai, the petition stated.