The Bombay High Court on Thursday has summoned actor Nawazuddin Siddique and his estranged ex-wife Aaliya aka Anjana Pandey to discuss possible settlements for their children. The court ordered the two to remain present in their chamber on April 3, 2023, at 4.30 p.m.
“We are also concerned about the children,” the bench stated in reply to a Siddique’s advocate’s statement.
The order was passed by a division of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Sharmila Deshmukh in a habeas corpus plea filed by Siddique seeking full custody of their children, aged 7 and 12. He has also filed a defamation suit against his brother and wife, demanding damages of Rs. 100 crores.
Pandey, on the other hand, has filed a domestic violence case against him ongoing before the Magistrate’s court.
Siddique claimed in his habeas corpus petition that his wife and children are UAE citizens, and that since she returned to India, the children have been skipping school.
Siddique’s lawyer, Adnan Shaikh, told the court on Thursday that the case was continued to explore the possibility of a settlement, but the ex-wife’s lawyer has yet to react to the proposal.
“I don’t believe they want to settle,” he stated.
Justice Dere then questioned why the couple hadn’t thought about mediation, but the ex-wife’s attorney said she couldn’t afford it.
Shaikh stated that Siddique had no idea where his children were and that they were not attending school. He claimed that the school had also sent a message.
Concerned that the children would skip school, the bench asked both of them to remain in the judge’s chambers as soon as possible, on April 3.
