Celina Jaitly seeks Rs 100 crore compensation and Rs 10 lakh monthly maintenance from estranged husband Peter Haag in domestic violence case

Celina Jaitly and her estranged husband, Austrian hotelier Peter Haag, appeared before a metropolitan magistrate’s court in Andheri on Friday, where the court directed both parties to file their income affidavits by January 27. The court also asked Haag to submit his reply to Jaitly’s domestic violence (DV) complaint. The directions were issued during the first hearing of the case filed by the actor in November under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

Allegations of abuse and demand for maintenance

According to Hindustan Times, Jaitly, represented by Karanjawala & Company, has alleged sustained physical, verbal and emotional abuse during the couple’s 15-year marriage. She has sought Rs 100 crore as compensation and Rs 10 lakh per month as maintenance. The couple married in Mumbai in 2010 and lived across Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore and Austria during Haag’s overseas assignments.

‘Robbed of financial independence and dignity’

In her petition, Jaitly has claimed she was systematically “robbed of her financial independence and dignity” through what she describes as years of coercive control. She has alleged that Haag restricted her professional engagements, prevented her from accessing her earnings and made her financially dependent on him. The complaint describes Haag as a “self-absorbed individual” who allegedly showed “no empathy” towards her or their children.

Claims of financial misappropriation and property dispute

Jaitly has also accused Haag of financial misappropriation, alleging that he siphoned money from her bank accounts, used her debit and credit cards while claiming to pay her bills, and controlled her documents and passport. A central issue in the dispute is a 2019 gift deed transferring her Mumbai flat to Haag. She has claimed the deed was executed when she was mentally vulnerable and alleged that Haag later rented out the property without her knowledge, earning approximately Rs 1.26 crore.

The petition further alleges that Haag sold a jointly purchased property in Vienna without informing her, and that the alleged abuse intensified after the family was moved to a small village in Austria. Jaitly has claimed she eventually left Austria with the help of a neighbour after locating documents that Haag had allegedly withheld from her.

Parallel divorce proceedings in Austria

The Mumbai case follows parallel legal developments overseas. Haag had earlier filed for divorce in an Austrian court this year, reportedly blaming Jaitly for the breakdown of the marriage. Her legal team has stated that the Austrian court recently allowed her one hour of daily telephonic contact with their children after an alleged period during which Haag had cut off communication. In her DV petition, Jaitly has claimed she has been prevented from contacting the children since initiating legal action in India.

December hearing adjourned

Last week, an Andheri Court in Mumbai adjourned the hearing for the alleged domestic violence case filed by actress Celina against her husband Peter. The court adjourned the matter, giving both parties time to file their income affidavits and Peter, time to file his reply, after which both parties will be heard.

According to Celina's advocate, the actor-model allegedly endured "physical and emotional cruelty, manipulation and coercion" in the many years of her marriage with Haag.

Next hearing on January 27

The Mumbai court has sought clarity on the financial positions of both parties before considering interim relief. The matter will be taken up next on January 27, when the court is expected to review the affidavits and hear Jaitly’s interim applications.

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