Shikhar Dhawan Wins ₹5.72 Cr Legal Relief

Days after tying the knot with Sophie Shine, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has received significant legal relief in an ongoing financial dispute with his former wife, Aesha Mukerji. A Family Court in Delhi has directed Mukerji to return approximately ₹5.72 crore to the cricketer, marking a notable development in their post-divorce legal proceedings.

The court’s ruling comes shortly after Dhawan’s recent wedding to Sophie Shine, an Irish professional product consultant. The intimate ceremony was held in the Delhi NCR region and attended by close family members and friends, including fellow cricketers such as Rohit Sharma and Yuzvendra Chahal. The wedding marked a new chapter in Dhawan’s personal life following a high-profile separation and divorce.

Dhawan was previously married to Melbourne-based Aesha Mukerji, an experienced kickboxer. The two were introduced through social media and tied the knot in 2012. The couple shares a son, Zoravar. However, after nine years of marriage, they separated in 2021. In 2023, a Delhi court granted them a divorce, citing mental cruelty as grounds.

Following their separation, Dhawan was granted visitation rights and permission to maintain contact with his son through video calls. The financial aspects of the separation, however, remained a matter of legal contention.

Reports that circulated earlier suggested that during the marriage, Dhawan had transferred substantial funds to Mukerji, reportedly amounting to nearly ₹13 crore. Post-divorce, disputes arose over additional financial claims. According to media reports, Mukerji had sought enforcement of an Australian Family Court order that directed Dhawan to pay certain amounts under a “Property Settlement” arrangement.

This week, however, the Delhi Family Court ruled in Dhawan’s favour. As per a report by Live Law, the court observed that the Australian court’s directive regarding property settlement was “alien to Indian laws.” The Delhi court therefore ordered Mukerji to return ₹5.72 crore to Dhawan.

Family Court Judge Devender Kumar Garg further stated that Mukerji could not enforce the claim of ₹16.9 crore as awarded by the Australian court, emphasizing that such provisions did not align with the legal framework applicable under Indian matrimonial law.

The ruling is being seen as a major relief for Dhawan, who has recently been in the public eye both for his personal life milestones and his professional journey. While neither party has issued detailed public statements following the court’s decision, the development adds clarity to a prolonged legal chapter.

Legal experts note that cross-border matrimonial disputes often present complex jurisdictional challenges, particularly when financial settlements ordered abroad intersect with domestic legal systems. In this case, the Delhi court’s order reinforces the principle that foreign judgments must align with Indian law to be enforceable within the country.

For Dhawan, the decision arrives at a time of renewed beginnings. As he embarks on a new phase of life following his marriage, the court’s directive brings resolution to a key financial dispute stemming from his previous relationship.

The case also underscores the broader legal considerations involved in international divorces, particularly when property settlements and financial transfers are subject to differing legal standards across jurisdictions.