Karnataka HC Grants Divorce to Duniya Vijay, Orders Rs 2 Crore Alimony to Wife Nagarathna

The Karnataka High Court has granted a divorce to Kannada actor-director Duniya Vijay and his first wife Nagarathna, formally concluding their long-running marital dispute. The decision brings an end to years of matrimonial litigation between the two.

A Division Bench comprising Justice DK Singh and Justice H Shanthibhushan ordered Vijay to pay Rs 2 crore to Nagarathna as permanent alimony. The bench directed that the entire alimony amount must be paid within three months.

Alongside the financial settlement, the court addressed the welfare of the family. The judges placed the responsibility for the future and upbringing of the couple's three children on the actor.

The Division Bench granted the divorce after considering allegations of mental cruelty raised during the dispute. The court took into account the circumstances indicating that the marital relationship had broken down beyond reconciliation.

The conflict had previously spilled outside the courtroom, involving police complaints and public exchanges before reaching the family court. The family court had originally rejected Vijay’s petition seeking a divorce.

Vijay then approached the High Court to challenge the family court's rejection. By allowing his appeal and granting the divorce while imposing financial and family conditions, the High Court has brought the prolonged litigation to an end.