The court asked his wife Leila Kabir to bring him to court on Monday so that he could depose.
Before it gives its decision in the feud between George Fernandes’ brothers and his wife, the Delhi high court wants to give the ailing socialist leader his say in the matter. Former union minister Fernandes, 80, is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.
The court asked his wife Leila Kabir to bring him to court on Monday so that he could depose. Kabir had been separated from Fernandes for many years, but re-entered his life in 2009, saying she wanted to care for him.
“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,” justice VK Shali said.
During the hearing, counsel for Kabir informed the court that George is not in position to come to court, but the judge insisted that he wants to hear what George wants.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Fernandes’ brothers, Richard and Michael, seeking his custody. They were alleging that the former minister is not being properly treated by his wife.
The judge too, said he was only concerned about Fernandes’ health. “I am not on the legal dimension of the case. My concern is only about his health,” justice Shali said. “Let us talk to him and see what he has to say.”
Justice Shali has asked a lawyer who knows Konkani to assist during the hearing in case George speaks in the language and wants to record his statement.
Fernandes’ brothers also sought court permission to shift him to his official residence at 3, Krishna Menon Marg. “There is no need to shift George as he is undergoing treatment at a hospital in south Delhi,” advocate Aman Lekhi, counsel for Kabir, said.
On Wednesday, Fernandes’ brothers and his longtime companion Jaya Jaitley had gone to the Krishna Menon Marg residence to collect books, furniture and paintings they said was theirs. The trio was denied entry.
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