CHENNAI, AUG 7 (IANS) In a dramatic turn of events, Sangeetha, wife of actor-turned-politician and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay, has withdrawn the divorce and residency rights petitions she had filed against him before the Chengalpattu District Family Court.

The couple had reportedly been living separately due to personal differences for some time.

Subsequently, in December last year, Sangeetha approached the Chengalpattu Family Court seeking dissolution of marriage as well as residency rights.

The case had come up for hearing on three earlier occasions. Considering the high-profile status of both parties and associated security concerns, the court had exempted them from appearing in person and permitted them to participate in the proceedings through video conferencing.

When the matter was taken up for hearing again on Friday, counsel representing Vijay sought an adjournment, citing his engagement in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session.

However, Sangeetha's legal team pressed for the hearing to proceed as scheduled. Following submissions from both sides, the court deferred the matter to the post-lunch session.

During the afternoon hearing, Sangeetha appeared before Family Court Judge Sujatha via video conference and made detailed submissions for more than 15 minutes.

After recording her statement, the court accepted her request to withdraw both the divorce petition and the plea seeking residency rights.

With the withdrawal of the petitions, the legal proceedings initiated by Sangeetha against Vijay have effectively come to an end.

Court sources indicated that the case has been closed following her decision to voluntarily withdraw the claims.

Neither Vijay nor Sangeetha has issued a public statement regarding the reasons behind the withdrawal of the petitions.

Vijay and Sangeetha's relationship stretches back nearly three decades. The couple had an interfaith marriage on August 25, 1999, in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony in Chennai.

Their first child, a son, was born on August 26, 2000, and a daughter followed in 2005.