Bombay HC DISMISSES Anita Advani's Claim As Rajesh Khanna's Wife - All About Case Involving Dimple Kapadia, Akshay Kumar

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Bombay High Court has dismissed a long-standing legal appeal filed by Anita Advani, who had sought recognition of her relationship with late superstar Rajesh Khanna as a legal marriage. The ruling brings a significant development in a case that has been ongoing for over a decade and involves prominent names like Dimple Kapadia, Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar. While the detailed judgment is still awaited, the court’s decision has brought the years old tussle between both parties into the limelight again.

Anita Advani's claim as Rajesh Khanna's wife dismissed

On Wednesday, Justice Sharmila Deshmukh dismissed Advani’s appeal, which challenged a 2017 decision by the Dindoshi Civil Court. The lower court had earlier rejected her civil suit on technical grounds, prompting her to approach the High Court. After hearing arguments from all parties, including legal representatives of Dimple Kapadia, Akshay Kumar, and Twinkle Khanna, the court ruled, “First appeal is dismissed.”

The case stems from Anita Advani’s claim that she shared a long-term relationship with Rajesh Khanna, whom she alleged lived with her until his death in 2012. She had sought legal recognition of this relationship as a marriage, which would have entitled her to certain rights, including claims over property and protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Anita Advani's domestic violence case against Dimple Kapadia

However, this is not the first time courts have ruled against her claims. As per Bar and Bench, in 2015, a coordinate bench of the Bombay High Court had quashed domestic violence proceedings filed by Advani against Kapadia, Twinkle Khanna, and Akshay Kumar. The court had then held that her relationship with Khanna did not qualify as one “in the nature of marriage” under the law.

Advani’s legal battle dates back to shortly after Khanna’s death. She had alleged that she was forcibly evicted from his iconic bungalow, Aashirwad, and subsequently filed multiple cases seeking a share in his property. She also lodged criminal complaints accusing members of Khanna’s family of forgery, trespassing, conspiracy, and wrongful execution of his will.For context, Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia in 1973. Although the couple separated within a decade, they never formally divorced. This legal status played a crucial role in the proceedings, as Kapadia remained his lawful wife until his passing. Anita Advani, who is a former actress known for films like Daasi (1981), Aao Pyaar Karen (1983) and Saazish (1988), has claimed that Rajesh Khanna had secretly married her.