What Leander Paes Has In Defence Against Rhea's Allegations?

Following model Rhea Pillai's allegations that Tennis ace player Leander Paes with whom she has been in a live-in relationship abused and locked her outside her house, Paes has come up with an official statement in his defence.

With separation on cards for Rhea and Leander, the Tennis player recently filed a petition seeking custody of their daughter Aiyana and now Leander has released a statement denying all charges levied by his partner Rhea.

"I categorically deny all the allegations and lies made against me by Rhea Pillai. My lawyers and I have documentary proof to support every single claim in the guardianship petition I have filed," stated Leander in the statement.

The statement further read as, "I hope justice will prevail in the interest of my daughter and would leave the process of investigation to the Courts of India. In the meantime I intend to continue with the ATP Tour and participate in the grass court season leading to Wimbledon and the hard court season leading to the US Open. My daughter means the world to me and I cherish the bond we share. It is solely in the interest of her protection that I have taken the necessary legal steps to seek her custody."

Also Read: Leander Paes In Trouble: Locks Rhea Out Of Her Own House

Meanwhile, Leander's past Tennis partner, Mahesh Bhupati has rose up in defence of Leander and stated that Paes can never be abusive and violent as alleged by Rhea. On the other side, Gauri Khan
who happens to be a good friend of Rhea has been in support of the model and also reportedly provided Rhea with her personal bodyguards earlier.

Rhea who was formerly married to actor Sanjay Dutt had divorce in 2008 and later she has been in a live in relationship with Leander Paes who also had a troubled relation with actress Mahima Chaudhry.