Patna: The long-standing legal tussle between RJD MLA Tej Pratap Yadav and his estranged wife, Aishwarya Rai, has taken another dramatic turn. Aishwarya, daughter of former RJD MLA Chandrika Rai, now with the JD(U), has made fresh demands, seeking a residence akin to 10, Circular Road, the bungalow of her mother-in-law and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi. Along with a house in Patna’s upscale SK Puri locality, she has requested a car, driver, domestic help, and a monthly allowance of Rs 1.5 lakh for expenses.
For the past six years, the divorce case between Tej Pratap and Aishwarya has been dragging on in the Family Court of Patna. The Patna High Court, earlier this month, ordered the Family Court to settle the matter within six months. The latest development in the case has now turned the spotlight on Aishwarya’s expectations, with the court directing her to identify a residence in SK Puri and submit its details. The next hearing is scheduled for February 18.
A House Rejected, A Bigger Demand
In September 2023, the Family Court had ordered Tej Pratap to provide suitable accommodation for Aishwarya. Complying with the order, Tej Pratap secured a three-room flat in Patna’s Gola Road area at a monthly rent of Rs 20,000. The keys and agreement documents were submitted to the court on October 31, 2023. However, Aishwarya refused to accept the flat, claiming it did not meet her standards.
On June 10, 2024, Aishwarya formally applied to the Family Court, renewing her demand for a house similar to Rabri Awas, complete with all necessary facilities. The court then instructed her to mark an alternative property, following which she identified a residence in SK Puri.
Legal Maneuvering and Financial Disputes
Aishwarya’s demands are not new. Back in 2019, the Family Court had directed Tej Pratap to pay her an interim alimony of Rs 22,000 per month. However, in 2020, she moved the Patna High Court, stating that she did not want monetary compensation but instead required a house similar to 10 Circular Road, the official residence of Rabri Devi. Her requests also included a car and a driver.
The legal wrangling intensified when Tej Pratap’s lawyer, Jagannath Singh, argued that any money paid so far should be returned. In response, Aishwarya refunded Rs 10 lakh but subsequently renewed her demand for Rs 1.5 lakh per month along with the requested amenities.
A History of Conflict
The turbulence in the couple’s relationship began soon after their grand wedding on May 12, 2018. Matters escalated in 2019 when Aishwarya accused Rabri Devi of physically assaulting her, alleging that her phone was snatched and that she was mistreated by the guards at Rabri’s residence. The situation worsened when Aishwarya’s parents, including her father Chandrika Rai, reached Rabri Awas in protest, resulting in police intervention.
Since then, the case has seen multiple twists and turns, with political and personal dynamics at play. In the latest judicial move, senior judge Ashutosh Kumar ordered the case to be heard by a bench excluding Justice Jitendra Kumar, who is believed to have recused himself.
