HC asks Fernandes to be present at next hearing

New Delhi, Jul 1: Delhi High Court on Thursday, Jul 1, ordered the ailing former Union Minister, George Fernandes to be present in the court on Jul 5, to decide the custody battle between his wife and his brothers.

Fernandes' brothers Richard and Michael, seeking the custody of the former minister, who is suffered Alzheimer's disease, filed a case against Leila Kabir, Fernandes' wife.

"The person who, due to some incapability, was not able to be heard, the court wants to know what is in his mind to settle the issue," said Justice V K Shali.

The court also asked the two sides to find a lawyer who knows Konkani language so that he can help translate Fernandes' statement.

The brothers of the leader applied for the court's permission to shift him to his official residence at 3, Krisha Menon Marg from the Panchsheel Park residence of his wife.

However, the application was objected to by Kabir's lawyer Aman Lekhi, who said Fernandes was being treated at a private hospital in south Delhi and there was no need to shift him to his official residence.

The brothers also accused Kabir that she had been living 25 years separately from the minister and now suddenly she came for the property of her husband.

His brothers also alleged that Kabir was not allowing them access to the veteran leader, Fernandes.

Counter allegation made by Kabir that the brothers stayed outside Delhi and never came to meet Fernandes before. She claimed that the property worth cores of rupees was the motivating factor for them to be here.

Earlier, the court had asked the warring family members to resolve their differences and provide best medical treatment to the leader. Both the parties agreed but failed to follow the order of the court.

OneIndia News