Indian boxing icon Mary Kom's ex-husband, Onler, has sued her for defamation. Meanwhile, she is currently inside the 'Bigg Boss' Season 20 house.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleOlympic boxing icon Mary Kom is facing yet another challenge in her relationship with her ex-husband, Onler, after he filed a criminal defamation case against her. Karung Onkholer, better known as Onler Kom, has taken legal action after nearly three years of their divorce. In fact, the new legal action is followed by a series of public allegations and counter-allegations, which turned one of India's most admired couples against each other.
Mary Kom's ex-husband, Onler, has filed a criminal defamation case against the boxer under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He has alleged that she made false and damaging statements about him on television and on other public platforms. Now, the next hearing in the matter will take place on November 19, 2026.
According to the law, if Mary is convicted of defamation, then she can get a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine, or both. When the media reached out to Onler, he confirmed the news and expressed his confidence in his case. However, he refused to discuss the details because the matter is in the court. In his words:
"I have a strong case. I have faith in the judicial system of India. The matter is sub judice, so I won't comment any further.
Some sources close to Onler have claimed that he was considering taking legal action for a long time. Initially, he had decided not to escalate the case. However, after repeated questions from his family members, friends, and the public about the allegations, he decided to take the legal route. According to people close to Onler, he wants both an apology and damages. He has also argued that the accusations have severely affected his reputation and personal life.
For those who do not know, the case stems from several statements that Mary made when she publicly discussed the end of her marriage. The six-time world champion boxer had claimed that Onler had cheated her out of crores she earned during her boxing career. She also mentioned that he took loans under her name, mortgaged properties, and transferred assets without her knowledge.
In one of her interviews, Mary mentioned that she began to examine her finances closely after a career-threatening injury. It was before the 2022 Commonwealth Games when she realised how she had been "living a lie."
In turn, the revelation made her question many aspects of her marriage. The Bigg Boss 20 contestant also called out the public perception that Onler left his career for her success. She alleged that he had lived off her earnings and mismanaged money during their marriage.
However, Onler has always denied these allegations. Instead, he has stood firm on the claim that he devoted several years of his life to support Mary's career. In fact, he also maintains that when he was building her career, he looked after their kids. Onler also made counter-allegations about Mary's conduct during their marriage.
At the same time, he challenged her to prove the financial claims that she made against him. The wars of words and highly-publicised divorce have made them one of the most talked-about disputes in Indian sports.
Before Mary and Onler fell into court battles and public accusations, they had one of the most inspiring love stories in the sports fraternity. They first met in 2000 in New Delhi when Mary, who was then a young boxer in Manipur, lost her luggage. She was travelling for participating in a competition during that time.
In turn, Onler, a law student at Delhi University and an active member of the North-East student community, stepped in to help her. Soon, their friendship turned into a romance, and they tied the knot in 2005. Eventually, they built a family together after welcoming twin sons in 2007. Later, they welcomed another son in 2014 and adopted a daughter in 2018.
When Mary rose to new heights in her career, Onler reportedly kept his football ambitions aside. Instead, he looked after the household and took care of the children. Throughout her boxing journey, Mary frequently credited him for being her biggest supporter. Their bond was showcased in Mary's autobiography and biographical film. However, the marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 2023 under Kom customary law.
What do you think about Onler's defamation case against former wife, Mary Kom?
Also Read: Rajnikanth's Daughter Soundarya Talks About Her Painful Divorce, 'When My Marriage Failed..'