George Fernandes, a pale shadow of himself

Once a fire-brand trade union leader and a rabble rouser, former Union minister George Fernandes was a pale shadow of himself when he was brought to the court room as he appeared lost and was unable to speak or recognise his kin and friends.

Wearing a green kurta and white pyjama with a saffron scarf around his neck,  80-year-old Fernandes, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, was brought to the court room in a wheelchair by his wife, who is fighting a legal battle against his brothers for his custody.

The frail leader, showing no emotions on his face, was unable to recognise his supporters who surrounded him as soon as security guards lifted him from the car to wheelchair.

He was then taken to justice VK Shali's chamber for one-on-one consultation to ascertain his views to decide the custody battle among his family member.

According to a lawyer, who was present in the chamber to assist the court as translater, the leader was not able to answer the questions asked by the judge.

The leader tried to flip through the newspaper which was placed before him by the Judge in order to make him comfortable.

He, however, could not coherently reply to any query put by the judge. But when how many brothers he has, he replied in a feeble voice, "six".

The translator said that Fernandes was seemingly able to understand whatever was being asked of him but he was unable to respond and his voice was not understandable.

Fernandes was taken out of the courtroom after an hour.