Sangeetha Sornalingam, wife of actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Thalapathy Vijay, has filed a fresh petition before the Chengalpattu family court requesting permission to continue residing in their matrimonial home in Neelankarai until the divorce case is fully concluded. The new petition comes days after the original divorce case, filed on February 27, 2026, sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu’s political and entertainment circles.
What Is Sangeetha’s New Petition About?
Sangeetha’s fresh petition is a residence protection plea — a legal move to prevent her from being displaced from the couple’s matrimonial home while the divorce proceedings are still underway. She has approached the Chengalpattu family court seeking judicial permission to remain in the Neelankarai property until the case reaches a final verdict.
The petition is legally distinct from the original divorce filing. While the divorce petition covers the dissolution of marriage, allegations of adultery, and a claim for permanent alimony, the fresh petition is specifically focused on securing her right to continue living in the shared home during the pendency of the case — a protection courts typically consider to prevent a spouse from being left without accommodation mid-proceedings.
What Does Sangeetha’s Original Divorce Petition Allege?
Sangeetha filed her divorce petition before the Chengalpattu family court on February 27, 2026, citing adultery, mental cruelty, and constructive desertion as grounds for dissolution of their 27-year marriage. The 48-year-old British citizen alleges she discovered in April 2021 that Vijay was involved in an extramarital relationship with an unnamed actress — a relationship he allegedly continued “without remorse” despite her confronting him about it.
The petition describes a pattern of deliberate emotional withdrawal after 2021 — Vijay allegedly cut off financial support, restricted her freedom of movement, excluded her from his social and professional life, and subjected her to verbal disdain. The couple is claimed to have been living separately under the same roof at the Neelankarai house, a situation Sangeetha’s legal team characterises as “constructive desertion.” She has withheld the actress’s name but reserved the right to implead her as a co-respondent. Two rounds of legal notices and two personal meetings — the last on November 9, 2025 — failed to produce any settlement.
| Event | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Vijay and Sangeetha married | 1999 (26+ years) |
| Alleged affair discovered | April 2021 |
| Last personal meeting | November 9, 2025 |
| Divorce petition filed | February 27, 2026 — Chengalpattu Family Court |
| Fresh petition filed | March 2026 (residence protection) |
| Next court hearing | April 20, 2026 (Vijay directed to appear in person) |
What Has Vijay Said in Response?
Vijay has not issued a direct public statement addressing the divorce petition or its allegations. However, in the days following the petition becoming public, he shared a post stating “Victory is certain” — a message widely interpreted as a political statement given his TVK leadership role, though the timing drew significant attention in the context of the divorce proceedings. No official legal response from Vijay’s representatives has been made public as of now.
How Is This Affecting Vijay’s Political Career?
The divorce proceedings have landed at a particularly sensitive moment for Vijay, who stepped away from acting to lead the TVK political party with the Tamil Nadu elections on the horizon. Political observers and commentators have noted the optics of the case — with at least one prominent Tamil director publicly questioning Vijay’s conduct. The fresh petition further extends the legal and media spotlight on the case, keeping it in public discourse as Vijay attempts to establish his credibility as a political leader.
What Happens Next in the Vijay-Sangeetha Divorce Case?
The case’s next hearing is scheduled for April 20, 2026, with the Chengalpattu family court directing Vijay to appear in person. Sangeetha has also requested in-camera proceedings to protect the privacy of both parties. The court is yet to rule on the fresh residence petition. Details around any potential out-of-court settlement — including reports of a substantial alimony offer — remain unconfirmed by either party.