Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay received legal relief on Friday after his wife, Sangeetha, withdrew the divorce petition she had filed before the Chengalpattu Family Court, leading to the closure of the case.

Sangeetha appeared before the court through video conferencing and informed the judge that she did not wish to pursue the matrimonial dispute further. Following her request, the court allowed the withdrawal and disposed of the case

The petition, filed earlier this year, had sought dissolution of the marriage under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act. It had also sought permanent alimony and the right to continue residing at the couple's Neelankarai residence in Chennai.

The case had attracted widespread public attention due to Vijay's transition from cinema to politics and his recent rise as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister. Neither Vijay nor Sangeetha had appeared in person during the earlier hearings, and Vijay's legal team had not contested the withdrawal request.

With the petition now withdrawn, the family court has formally closed the proceedings. However, legal experts note that a petition withdrawn without adjudication does not amount to a judicial finding on the merits of the case. Reports also indicate that Sangeetha retains the legal right to initiate fresh proceedings in the future, if she chooses to do so.

The development brings an end, at least for now, to one of the most closely watched personal legal disputes involving a serving chief minister.