Did ‘other woman’ sour Samir-Sakshi relationship?

There was perhaps another woman in the life of British citizen of Gujarati origin, Samir, that made the relationship between him and his lover Sakshi sour. Samir and Sakshi are now fighting for the custody of their 18-month-old baby Hiral.

Sakshi has alleged that Samir did not keep his promise after Hiral was born and he also had a relationship with another woman called Akanksha. Sakshi has levelled these allegations in her petition filed before the High Court of England claiming Hiral's custody.

However, Samir denied all allegations and claimed to have taken due care of Sakshi and Hiral when they were in London. Samir filed an affidavit before Gujarat high court. Sakshi's lawyer in Gujarat high court could not be contacted.

In her affidavit, Sakshi said: "When I told Samir that I was pregnant, he told me that I should tell everyone that the baby is his. I told him that I would tell everyone that he is the father only when he comes to live with us. But he did not come to live with me. I lived on my own and supported myself. When Hiral was born, I had no support at all."

Sakshi further said, "We travelled to India together in October 2008, but we did not stay together in India. There were discussions about marriage but I knew that these were empty promises."

She further said, after returning to the UK, she planned to stay in India but Samir never handed over Hiral's passport.  She also alleged Samir's relationship with a woman called Akanksha residing in London. Sakshi said, "I told him that if he did not hand over Hiral's passport to me, I would have to start a case for her custody in the UK. I also told him that I intended to tell his partner, Akanksha, about Hiral as she did not know about her."

She further said, "He did not contact me for three to four days. When he came to see us, his attitude seemed to have changed. He apologised for his mistake. He also promised to tell Akanksha about Hiral."

However, in his affidavit, Samir said Akanksha was his landlady and had high morals. He further said he did not have any illicit relationship with her. He also said he had taken due care of Sakshi and Hiral.

The high court is hearing the case relating to Hiral's custody. On one hand, Samir is claiming the custody of the girl, on the other Sakshi and her husband want to keep the baby with them. The case will come up for further hearing on June 14.