New Delhi: Innumerable instances of violence, gaslighting, trust issues, emotional unavailability and multiple insecurities along with narcissistic behaviour—these are just some of allegations raised by Bollywood actor Celina Jaitley in her divorce plea before a Mumbai court.
Celina Jaitley’s plea, which was filed on Friday before a Mumbai court, seeks damages of Rs 50 crore from her Austrian husband, Peter Haag, to whom she was married for nearly 15 years, and with whom she has three children. On 21 November, the court issued a notice to her husband, while listing the matter for further hearing on 12 December.
Celina Jaitley has told the court that she has been subjected to continuous domestic violence by Haag, and has sought urgent relief under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, including orders of protection, residence, monetary relief or compensation and custody of children.
Theirs was an interracial, interfaith marriage which took place in September, 2010, under Austrian civil law at the registry office in Gratwein at the insistence of her husband since he refused to have the marriage registered in India, Celina’s plea said. Following this, the couple went on to reside in places like Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore and Austria.
Although before marriage, Celina Jaitley had worked in films like ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’, ‘No Entry’ and ‘Golmaal Returns’, after getting married she worked only intermittently till she had children. She said in her plea that Haag robbed her of her financial independence and dignity, and she had to take his permission for taking up even small projects.
‘Severe emotional, sexual, verbal abuse’
Calling Haag a “narcissistic”, “self-absorbed” person who showed no empathy for Celina or their three children, the plea also talked about how the husband had alienated the children from their mother.
Underlining that he had a short temper and alcoholic tendencies which constantly caused her stress, Jaitley also told the court that Haag had “hoodwinked” her into giving him control of her assets and finances. Jaitley also said that Haag pressured her into transferring the ownership of her Mumbai house to him, when she was in severe depression following the death of a newborn child.
According to the actor, the husband meted out severe emotional, sexual, verbal, financial and physical abuse, forcing her to flee their home in Austria and return to India, without her children. She also said that since then, he has blocked access to the children, barring one occasion on 14 November, when she saw them.
The control exercised by Haag on Jaitley is apparent, her plea said, pointing to alleged instances of gaslighting, arm-twisting, trust issues and emotional unavailability. His behaviour severely compromised Jaitley’s confidence and self esteem, she added.
Jaitley also said that her family gave Haag many generous gifts, including luxury branded apparel like Hugo Boss, cufflinks and jewellery.
After four wedding functions and a honeymoon in Italy, the two had their first fight when Jaitley complained of period cramps, which allegedly led the husband to break out into a fit of rage, scream at her and fling a wine glass against a wall. Celina said that her marriage saw many incidents of cruelty and violence, which caused her immense fear.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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