A Delhi family court has ordered Aesha Mukerji, the ex-wife of former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, to return Rs 5.7 crore (AU$894,397) related to a disputed property settlement in Australia. The court determined that the amount was obtained through fraud and threats, as reported by Bar and Bench.
Judge Devender Kumar Garg of the Patiala House Court concluded that Dhawan was coerced into signing the agreement under duress. The court also mandated that Mukerji pay an annual interest rate of 9% on the sum, starting from the date Dhawan filed his case.
Additionally, the Delhi court has barred Mukerji from enforcing orders made by the Australian court in February 2024, which had divided the couple’s global assets, including Dhawan’s properties in India. The Australian court ruled that Mukerji was entitled to 15% of the total assets, which included Rs 7.46 crore (AU$1.17 million) in assets, an additional Rs 15.95 crore (AU$2.5 million) from Dhawan, and a property transfer.
Between 2021 and 2024, the Australian court issued several rulings on the asset division. Dhawan argued that these rulings conflicted with Indian marriage laws and sought a legal declaration to avoid their enforcement.
Allegations of Coercion
Shikhar Dhawan told the Patiala House Court that shortly after marrying Aesha Mukerji in 2012, she threatened to release damaging information that could harm his reputation and Cricket career. He claimed that even though he bought properties with his own funds, he was pressured into registering them either jointly or solely in her name.
In one instance, the court was informed that Mukerji was listed as the 99% owner of a property purchased by Dhawan. After reviewing the evidence, Judge Garg supported Dhawan’s assertions, ruling that he was not obliged to follow the Australian court’s decisions.
Divorce and Custody Battle
In 2023, a Delhi court granted Shikhar Dhawan and Aesha Mukerji a divorce, citing Dhawan’s mental distress due to his lengthy separation from their son, Zoravar. The court noted that Mukerji either did not challenge Dhawan’s claims or did not respond adequately.
Although Dhawan did not obtain permanent custody, he was given visitation rights and the ability to communicate via video calls with his son in both India and Australia, where Mukerji lives. Dhawan later reported that he was blocked from all communication with Zoravar.
Dhawan subsequently married Sophie Shine in a private ceremony on February 22, 2025.
