Sangeetha Sornalingam, wife of actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, has filed a formal divorce petition in the Chengalpattu Family Court, citing an alleged extramarital affair with an actress and mental cruelty as the grounds for seeking dissolution of their more than 25-year marriage.
In her petition, Sangeetha states that the couple’s marriage, which was initially registered in the United Kingdom in July 1998 and later solemnised according to Hindu rites in Chennai on August 25, 1999, was “cordial and harmonious” during its early years. However, she alleges that the relationship broke down irretrievably after she discovered in April 2021 that Vijay was “involved in an adulterous relationship with an actress,” causing her “deep emotional pain and mental suffering, amounting to betrayal and violation of marital trust.”
Sangeetha claims that although Vijay assured her the relationship would end, it continued without cessation, leading to prolonged mental cruelty and emotional neglect. She further states in the petition that Vijay “gradually withdrew emotionally” and “distanced himself from conjugal life,” excluding her from his social and professional engagements. She asserts that this conduct amounted to constructive desertion, forcing her to live separately within the matrimonial home.
According to the divorce filing, Vijay’s “open association” with the actress continued publicly, with the actress regularly posting photographs of outings with Vijay on social media. Sangeetha states that Vijay did not deny or object to these posts, which she says tacitly endorsed them, and that these social media activities caused repeated humiliation to her and their children.
Sangeetha also alleges that Vijay imposed financial restrictions on her, including curtailment of her freedom of movement. She claims that repeated attempts to resolve the matter privately, including exchanges of legal notices through counsel and personal discussions between September 2021 and February 2022, and again from August 2024 to February 2025, were unsuccessful.
In the petition, she describes the marriage as surviving “only on paper,” and states that it is incapable of revival, offering her nothing but “mental agony, indignity, humiliation and suffering.”
Seeking judicial relief, Sangeetha has asked the court for a decree of dissolution of marriage, permanent alimony commensurate with Vijay’s income and social standing, the right to reside in the matrimonial home in Neelankarai or equivalent accommodation until disposal of the petition, and that the proceedings be conducted in camera to protect the privacy and dignity of all parties involved.
The family court has scheduled a hearing for April 20, 2026, requiring Vijay to appear in person in relation to the petition.
– Magizh
