Former actor and Miss India winner Celina Jaitly Haag has filed a case of domestic violence against her estranged husband, Peter Haag, before the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Andheri, Mumbai. Peter Haag is an Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier.
The case, filed under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, came up for verification and notice on Tuesday before the Court of SC Tadye. The court has since issued a notice to Peter Haag, who resides in Austria, with the next hearing scheduled for December 12.
Key Allegations and Compensation Sought
Celina Jaitly has leveled serious allegations against her husband, describing the abuse as sustained and multi-faceted:
- Abuse and Cruelty: The plea alleges continuous acts of emotional, physical, verbal, sexual, and financial abuse over several years of marriage.
- Racial Abuse: Celina claimed that her husband regularly insulted her with racist and degrading remarks, allegedly calling her his “maidservant” and suggesting she looked like his maid.
- Financial Control: She alleged that Peter systematically dismantled her career and financial independence by prohibiting her from working, thus robbing her of her autonomy and eventually taking control of her finances and assets.
- Property Transfer: A major accusation states that Peter Haag persuaded her to transfer ownership of her Mumbai residence to him while she was emotionally vulnerable, grieving the death of her newborn twin son Shamsher and both her parents, all within a short span of months. A separate civil suit is pending in the Bombay City Civil Court to cancel this property transfer (gift deed).
- Forced Exit: The abuse allegedly escalated to the point where she was forced to flee their home in Austria in the middle of the night, returning to India without her three children.
The actor is seeking substantial relief from the court:
- Compensation: ₹50 crore in damages for her loss of source of income and properties.
- Monthly Maintenance: ₹10 lakh per month in maintenance.
- Children’s Access: An immediate order to regain unhindered virtual and telephonic access to her three sons (Winston, Viraaj, and Arthur), who are currently in Peter Haag’s custody in Austria.
Background
Celina and Peter married in 2011 and are parents to three sons. The case follows another recent legal battle Celina initiated regarding her brother, Major (retired) Vikrant Jaitly, who she claims was illegally detained in the UAE.
The case has been posted for the next hearing on December 12.