NEW DELHI: Karung Onkholer, known as Onler, has strongly rejected the financial accusations made by his estranged wife, Olympic boxer Mary Kom. The former couple, married for over two decades before separating in 2023, are now embroiled in a public dispute.
Onler Counters Financial Allegations
Onler firmly denied Mary Kom's claims that he deprived her of crores of rupees and land purchased with her earnings. He described these accusations as completely baseless. To support his position, Onler pointed to his current living situation.
"Check my account," he told IANS. "She said I stole 5 crores. For 18 years of marriage, we were together. What am I having? Look at my house. I'm staying in a rented house in Delhi."
He expressed frustration that Mary Kom's celebrity status gives her allegations more weight. "She's a celeb. Whatever she says, some will listen, and some won't," he added.
Extramarital Affair Allegations Surface
Instead of addressing only the financial claims, Onler made serious counter-allegations. He claimed Mary Kom had been involved in extramarital relationships during their marriage.
According to Onler, problems in their marriage began more than ten years ago. He specifically alleged that in 2013, Mary Kom had an affair with a junior boxer. This situation caused significant tension between their families before they reached a settlement.
Onler further claimed that since 2017, Mary Kom has been in a relationship with someone connected to the Mary Kom Boxing Academy. "I have their WhatsApp messages as proof," he stated. "I have proof, with the name of the person with whom she was having an affair. I remained silent."
Onler's Stance on Mary Kom Moving On
Onler clarified that he does not object to Mary Kom building a new life after their divorce. His main issue centers on being publicly blamed for financial wrongdoing.
"She wanted to stay alone and have another relationship. We're divorced. I don't mind if she wants to have another husband," he explained. "But don't ever blame me. And if she's to blame me, bring the proof; get the papers."
He concluded with a pointed remark: "I know where she lives and with whom."
Mary Kom's Perspective on the Separation
Meanwhile, Mary Kom has described this period as the darkest phase of her life. Speaking to PTI, she opened up about the emotional toll of their separation.
"I have been called greedy by people who know nothing about what I went through," she said. "Yes, I am now separated from my husband Onler and it all happened more than two years ago."
Mary Kom explained that financial issues became apparent after she suffered an injury before the 2022 Commonwealth Games. "Things were fine till I was competing and had very little involvement in my finances but when I got injured, I realised I was living a lie," she revealed.
During her recovery, which required a walker, she came to a difficult realization. "It was then that I realised that the man I had trusted was not what I believed him to be."
Financial Allegations from Mary Kom
Now living in Faridabad, the former Rajya Sabha member made serious financial allegations against Onler. She claimed he systematically mismanaged her assets.
According to Mary Kom, Onler repeatedly took loans and mortgaged properties that he had transferred into his own name. She alleged that he borrowed money from locals in Churachandpur, leading to further complications.
"To recover it from him, they have seized the land through underground groups," she claimed, referring to land she purchased with her own earnings.
Attempts at Privacy and Public Response
Mary Kom emphasized that she initially tried to keep the matter private. "I did not want it to be a spectacle for the world so I sought a divorce after several attempts to resolve it between us," she explained.
She informed both families about her decision to end the marriage, and they understood her position. However, the situation escalated publicly over the past year.
"I was hoping that it would stay private but then a concerted attempt has been made to slander me for the last one year," Mary Kom stated. "I thought I would not respond but then my silence was being misread and the attacks kept increasing."
Background of the Relationship
Mary Kom and Onler married in 2005 and share four children together. Their divorce was finalized in 2023, marking the end of an eighteen-year marriage that had once seemed strong to those close to them.
The separation came as a surprise to many who knew the couple from Manipur. Both individuals now find themselves in a very public disagreement, with conflicting narratives about what led to their marital breakdown.
