A judge of the Delhi High Court held one-on-one discussion on Monday with ailing former union Minister George Fernandes to decide the legal battle over his custody between his wife Leila Kabir and his brothers. 80-year-old Fernendes, who was brought in the courtroom on the wheelchair by his wife Leila Kabir, was taken inside Justice V K Shali's chambers to ascertain his mind on with whom he prefers to live.
The judge is holding talks with him in presence of a Church official and a translator to assist the court in case Fernandes, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, speaks in his mother tongue Konkani. The lawyer and relatives of Fernandes have been asked to wait outside the chamber and the judge will talk to them after knowing the views of Fernandes. The judge on July 1 had asked Kabir to produce Fernandes before him to know his mind.
The court had said "it wants to ascertain what he wants". The court had passed the order on the petition filed by Fernandes' brothers Richard and Michael seeking custody of their brother alleging that the former Union Minister, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, is not being properly treated by his wife. The judge had said he was concerned about the health of Fernandes. "I am not on the legal dimension of the case. My concern is only about his health," Justice Shali had said. The brothers of the leader have also sought the court's permission to shift him to his official residence at 3, Krishna Menon Marg from the Panchsheel Park residence of his wife.
