Mary Kom Faces Defamation Lawsuit from Ex-Husband Over Allegations

A defamation lawsuit has been filed against boxer Mary Kom by her ex-husband, Karong Onkholer, who claims her public statements have damaged his reputation. The case, which cites character assassination, is currently pending in court, with a hearing scheduled for November 19. The allegations stem from remarks made during a televised interview, where Kom purportedly accused Onkholer of financial misconduct. This legal battle highlights the complexities of personal relationships in the public eye and raises questions about the impact of public statements on individual reputations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 10, 2026, 00:09 IST

Defamation Case Filed Against Mary Kom

In New Delhi, on October 9, Advocate Akash Krishna, representing Karong Onkholer, the former spouse of boxer Mary Kom, announced that a defamation lawsuit has been initiated against her. The complaint alleges that Kom's remarks on various platforms have resulted in character defamation.

The legal action was lodged at the Saket Court in Delhi, where the complainant claims that during a televised interview, Kom made false and damaging statements about him, intending to tarnish his reputation.

Filed on October 6, the case is currently awaiting a hearing in front of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Shivam Gupta, with the next session scheduled for November 19.

According to Advocate Krishna, the complaint cites Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), asserting that Kom's accusations of her ex-husband misusing her finances constitute character assassination. The court will gather pre-summoning evidence and hear witness testimonies on the specified date.

Krishna stated, "We have initiated a defamation lawsuit against Mary Kom on behalf of her ex-husband. It is evident that a smear campaign has been directed at him. As the case is currently before the court, I will refrain from discussing its merits. However, it is clear that she has made serious allegations against him regarding financial misconduct, which are defamatory in nature. The court has accepted the complaint, and we are now in the process of recording statements and examining witnesses."

The complaint details that Onkholer married Mary Kom on March 12, 2005, and they lived together in Faridabad until their customary divorce on December 20, 2023.

It is claimed that throughout their marriage, Onkholer sacrificed his own career to support Mary Kom's professional endeavors, contradicting her statements that he has never held a job.

Mary Kom is recognized as a prominent boxing champion with a significant public presence, frequently appearing on national television and other media outlets.

The complaint alleges that on January 11, 2026, following their divorce, she made defamatory remarks during a widely viewed television program, which were broadcast to millions across India.

The complainant asserts that her statements portrayed him as dishonest, unfaithful, unemployed, financially dependent on her, and neglectful of his responsibilities as a parent, thereby damaging his moral character and reputation, which constitutes defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.