Prabhu Deva, wife seek split by mutual consent

CHENNAI: Actor Prabhu Deva (39) and his wife Latha a.k.a. Ramalath (38) on Tuesday moved the First Additional Family Court seeking divorce by mutual consent. Judge I Pandurangan, before whom the couple appeared and filed the joint petition, adjourned the matter by a few months.

They got married in August 1995 and had two sons. The couple submitted that since difference of opinion and misunderstanding arose between them, they found it very difficult, rather impossible, to live together or to lead a normal marital life.

Both of them were living separately for over two years. The efforts of elders and friends on both sides and mediators had also failed. Hence, they were seeking divorce by mutual consent, subject to certain conditions, they said.

As per the mutual agreement, Latha agreed to withdraw her two petitions, one seeking restoration of her conjugal rights and the other to restrain Prabhu from getting married with another actor Nayanthara, which was pending before the Principal Family Court.

Prabhu Deva agreed to part with his Tata Innova and Mahindra Lagon cars. The immovable property in Anna Nagar would go to Latha. In addition, Prabhu had agreed to pay a onetime permanent alimony of `10 lakh to Latha.

Their two sons would share equally the property in Injambakkam and the properties in Rangareddy District in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, Prabhu would bear their educational and medical expenses.

Prabhu retained his liberty to have access to the two children at his own wish and pleasure.

Since the statutory period of cessation of cohabitation expired in December 2008 as per the Hindu Marriage Act, there was no necessary or avoidable delay in granting the divorce decree, they said.