By George! It's out on the street

Catfight for George Fernandes' property takes yet another ugly turn

As if it had not earned enough bad name and publicity for one of the most veteran politicians and trade unionist George Fernandes, claimants to his legacy slug it out in streets on Wednesday.


Wronged? Jaya Jaitley standing outside the 3, Krishna Menon Marg
residence of George Fernandes after being denied entry on Wednesdayu00a0pic/mid day

The once firebrand leader, who is now out of active politics suffering from Alzheimer's disease, should have thanked his stars that he did not have explain to the snooping journalists, the reason why one time close-aide Jaya Jaitley was denied entry to his official residence, 3 Krishna Menon Marg.

Jaya had reportedly gone to the Lutyen's bungalow to collect books, furniture and paintings, which she claimed belonged to her. However, the caretaker of the Fernandes household SD Singh denied her entry. He claimed that he had asked Jaya to come alone but she came along with 8-10 people. " I had talked to her. She said she would be coming by 12:30 and we agreed to that, but she broke her promise and we refused her entry. We have to call the police as she refused to budge from her stand," Singh said.

Defamatory
Fernandes was not present at the scene of the incident, as he has been staying with estranged wife Leila Kabeer, his wife in Panchsheel Park residence for quite some time.
"These people are defaming the legacy of George, who never closed his doors to anybody. I am not a terrorist, why am I being denied entry?" asked an angry Jaya.

It was also alleged that Fernandes' brothers Richard and Michael were also denied entry to his official residence. But, Kabir rejected the charge, saying both Richard and Michael had met George in the morning at her Panchsheel Park house.

"Richard and Michael met George in the morning Jaitely had also written to Jaitly a few days ago that she can visit official residence and look for her stuff. We did not want to stop her. But at that time she wanted to enter with so many other people," she said.

"I had written to Jaya Jaitley a few days ago that she could visit the official residence of George and get her stuff. I am shocked and dismayed at this denigrating exercise," she said.

Blasphemous
Richard and Michael said they had come to the capital in connection with the case that is pending in Delhi High Court regarding access to George. "After meeting George this morning, we came here to collect some books and family photographs but we were denied entry. It is highly objectionable. This is being done at the instance of Kabir," they alleged.

Richard and Michael have been fighting a legal battle with his wife for custody of the ailing former defence minister. They had on June 9 approached the Delhi High Court for early disposal of the case in view of George's
deteriorating condition.

Rs 25 cr Estimated worth of George Fernandes