Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly finds herself in a complex international divorce battle with her Austrian husband Peter Haag, as new details emerge about competing legal filings in different countries. The actress, who announced her divorce on social media this week, is facing allegations from her husband that she is responsible for the breakdown of their 15-year marriage.
Competing Divorce Filings Across Continents
While Celina Jaitly approached a Mumbai court this week to file for divorce on grounds of domestic violence and abuse, her lawyer has revealed that Peter Haag had already initiated divorce proceedings in Austria earlier this year. The timing of these competing filings adds complexity to what appears to be an increasingly contentious separation.
According to Celina's lawyer, Niharika Karanjwala Misra, Peter Haag filed his divorce petition in Austrian court after Celina discovered he had sold their jointly purchased properties in Vienna without her knowledge. In his Austrian filing, Peter is attempting to prove that Celina has no claim on any of their shared properties and has placed blame for the marriage breakdown squarely on her shoulders.
Serious Allegations and Financial Claims
The divorce petition submitted by Celina Jaitly in the Andheri court in Mumbai contains serious allegations against her husband. The 199-page document details claims of domestic violence and financial manipulation that span their 15-year marriage.
Celina has made significant financial demands in her filing, including monthly alimony of Rs 10 lakh and a compensation of Rs 50 crores. Her lawyer also revealed there is a separate civil case against Peter for allegedly forcing Celina to transfer her Mumbai property, valued at Rs 3.5 crores, to his name through a gift deed.
According to the legal team, Peter Haag exercised extensive financial control during their marriage. He allegedly took possession of all her credit and debit cards and used her savings to fund their lifestyle while refusing to discuss his own income, often flying into rages when questioned.
Child Custody and International Complications
The custody of their children has become a central issue in this cross-continental legal battle. Celina's lawyer revealed that Peter had cut off contact between the actress and their children for a period, though the Austrian court has recently granted her telephonic access for one hour daily.
Celina has sought custody of her children in both the domestic and international cases, with her legal team emphasizing that the children remain her foremost concern throughout this difficult process.
The lawyer described how Peter allegedly kept Celina isolated in a small alpine village in Austria, where he maintained control of all her documentation and passport. She eventually managed to escape with the help of a neighbor after finding where he had hidden her documents.
Emotional Social Media Revelation
On Tuesday, Celina Jaitly shared her emotional state with followers through a lengthy Instagram post. She described navigating the strongest, most turbulent storm of my life and fighting alone without parental support or the support system she once relied upon.
She wrote about people she trusted walking away and promises breaking in silence, but emphasized her resilience as a soldier's daughter. Her note concluded with her commitment to fighting for her brother, her children's love, and her dignity.
The actress also faces personal challenges beyond her marriage, including her brother's detention in the UAE over a national security case. She has been actively seeking government assistance for his return while simultaneously managing her own legal battles.
Relationship History and Background
Celina Jaitly and Peter Haag married in 2010 at her Mumbai residence. The couple welcomed twins in 2012 and again in 2017, though they tragically lost one of the second set of twins due to a heart defect.
According to the legal petition, Celina learned from her sister-in-law in 2012 that Peter had been in a five-year live-in relationship during their courtship period, while portraying himself as single. Though no infidelity during the marriage has been alleged, this revelation from early in their relationship adds context to the current breakdown.
The Mumbai court has issued a notice to Peter Haag, returnable by December 12, as both legal teams prepare for what appears to be a protracted international legal battle over assets, custody, and allegations of misconduct on both sides.
