Supreme Court intervenes after Leander Paes, Rhea Pillai fail to settle dispute amicably

New Delhi: Veteran Indian player Leander Paes's long pending dispute with wife Rhea Pillai failed to reach a conclusion post which the Supreme Court has now adjudicated the matter.

The duo have been engaged in a legal battle over maintenance and custody of daughter. Paes has sought sole custody of their daughter, while Rhea claimed that the child should stay with her. Rhea had also filed a case of domestic violence and harassment against Paes in 2014.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the apex court also asked the parties to exchange the draft terms, conditions which has been prepared by both parties. The court has also asked for the matter to be listed tomorrow.

However, since Pillai has to go back to Mumbai, the Apex Court said, “go through the terms and come at the end of the board.”

After seeking divorce from actor Sanjay Dutt, Rhea had moved in with Paes and was in a live-in relationship with him. Paes claimed in the court that he was not married to Rhea and hence, she was not his wife. As such, he was not entitled to pay maintenance to her, Paes claimed.

The high court had earlier admitted Rhea's petition to decide whether her relationship with Paes could be considered as that of a husband and wife or not.

Rhea had filed a domestic violence case against Paes and his father in a magistrate's court which ruled that though the couple was not married, Rhea was staying with Paes as his wife and the case could therefore be tried by the court.

However, Paes challenged this order in a sessions court saying his relationship with Rhea was not a live-in relationship in the nature of a marriage.

The sessions court ruled in his favour in November 2015. Being aggrieved, Rhea moved the high court against the sessions court order.

The duo, though not legally married, had their daughter in 2008 after prolonged courtship, believed to be started in 2003. Rhea, now 48, is known for her association with Art of Living as an instructor. She was previously married to Bollywood actor, Sanjay Dutt.