Delhi Court Orders Aesha Mukerji to Return ₹5.72 Crore to Shikhar Dhawan Days After His Second Marriage

New Delhi: Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has received major legal relief just days after celebrating his second marriage. A Delhi Family Court has directed his former wife, Aesha Mukerji, to return approximately ₹5.72 crore to the cricketer, challenging the enforceability of an earlier Australian court order.

Dhawan, popularly known as “Gabbar,” recently tied the knot with his girlfriend Sophie Shine in a grand ceremony attended by several prominent figures from Indian cricket. The celebrations, however, were closely followed by a significant legal development in his long-standing matrimonial dispute.

Background of the Dispute

Dhawan and Aesha Mukerji were granted divorce in 2023 after a prolonged legal battle. Mukerji, an Australian national, had approached an Australian family court seeking property settlement under Australian matrimonial law.

Under Australia’s property settlement framework, matrimonial assets are subject to division between spouses. Pursuant to that process, Dhawan had reportedly been directed to pay ₹5.72 crore to his estranged wife as part of the settlement.

Delhi Court Challenges Australian Order

The Delhi Family Court examined the validity and enforceability of the Australian property settlement order under Indian law. The court observed that the concept of property settlement, as interpreted by the Australian judiciary, does not have a direct parallel under Indian matrimonial statutes — particularly under the Hindu Marriage Act.

The judge reportedly held that Indian matrimonial law does not mandate automatic transfer or division of specific properties or funds in the manner prescribed by the Australian court. Consequently, the Delhi court declared the foreign order unenforceable in this context and directed Mukerji to return the ₹5.72 crore to Dhawan.

A Significant Legal Turn

The ruling marks a crucial development in cross-border matrimonial disputes involving differing legal systems. For Dhawan, it represents a substantial personal and financial relief shortly after beginning a new chapter in his life.

While legal experts believe the matter could still see further proceedings, the Delhi court’s decision has, for now, brought closure to a major financial aspect of the former cricketer’s divorce case.