Aishwarya is not my son, Jaidev Thackeray tells High Court

Jaidev Thackeray, estranged son of late Bal Thackeray, informed the Bombay High Court on Wednesday that Aishwarya was not his son from previous wife Smita Thackeray.

Jaidev is being cross examined in the suit filed challenging the will of Thackeray, by counsel Rohit Kapadia appearing for Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. He asked Jaidev to explain his relation with Aishwarya, to which he replied, "I want to bring certain things on record." The court then asked him to reply in yes or no, about whether he was his son, to which he said 'No'.

Later he was to give an explanation, but it was decided by Judge Patel to have the proceedings in-camera. Accordingly, only those persons who are directly related to the case can attend the hearing.

In the first session of the proceedings, Jaidev, informed the court about how he and Smita Thackeray had divorced in 2004. To a question about whether he visited Matoshree after the demise of Thackeray in 2012, he said he had gone there a few times.

To a question on whether anyone prevented him from staying on the first floor of Matoshree after his divorce with Smita, he told the court that the floor was often locked-up. He said that sometimes there were others who lived there.

When asked to give details about the occupant, Jaidev said he had asked his father, who had told him that a person named Aishwarya was staying there. This followed with the question 'Is Aishwarya your son?' To which he said No.

Jaidev also told the court that he moved out of Matoshree due to disputes between him and Smita. His father had suggested that he leave Matoshree and eventually he lived at Dallas apartment, Kalina.

Furthermore, he said that post his marriage with his present wife Anuradha, he and his family never resided at Matoshree. Besides, he said that his marriage ceremony with Anuradha was not attended by any family members.