New Delhi: Veteran socialist leader George
Fernandes` brothers, who have been fighting a legal battle
with his wife for custody of the ailing former Defence
Minister, Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court for early
disposal of the case in view of his deteriorating condition.
Richard and Michael Fernandes pleaded before vacation
judge Justice Manmohan Singh that their petition for seeking
custody of their brother be heard urgently as the former
minister is allegedly not being properly treated by his wife
Leila Kabir.
The judge, after hearing their plea, asked Leila to
file her response and posted the matter for further hearing on
July 1.
The family members of the 80-year-old leader are
fighting a legal battle for getting his custody. Fernandes is
suffering from Alzheimer`s disease.
His brothers have alleged that Kabir was not allowing
them access to the veteran leader.
They also alleged that she was staying separately from
Fernandes for the past 25 years and had now come back to him
as she was eyeing his property.
Countering the allegations, Kabir alleged the suit was
filed at the instance of Fernandes` close aide Jaya Jaitley.
She said the brothers stayed outside Delhi and had
never visited the former minister. She claimed that the
property worth crores 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.
The counsel for both the parties had agreed to the
court`s suggestion to sit together to find out a solution but
they failed to come to an amicable settlement.
PTI
