In a huge setback for actor Aamir Khan, a Mumbai court has decided to hand over the custody of his brother Faisal Khan to his father Tahir Hussain.
Granting actor Aamir Khan’s estranged father Tahir Hussain, Faisal’s temporary custody for a period of one month, the court has asked Faisal to visit Khar police station every alternate day during this period. Faisal has also been asked to undergo medical treatement as recommended by JJ Hospital. The court will take a final decision on Faisal’s fate a month later. Faisal too had asked the court to hand over his charge to his father.
"I’ll always be there for my brother"
This evening following the verdict, Aamir Khan released a short press statement in which he said that, in the last 2 and a half years he had looked after his brother to the best of his ability, and on the advice of respected doctors. Aamir said he cares for his brother "deeply" and wants what is best for him, adding that the Psychiatric ward of JJ hospital had pronounced Faisal to be in need of special care by a responsible family member. Khan said he respected the court’s decision and hoped that his father would now take care of his brother and fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him by court.
"I wish Faisal all the best for the future, and I want him to know that I am always there for him," read the statement.
Aamir Khan had appealed to the court on Tuesday (October 30, 2007) and sought his brother’s custody citing that his father and yester-year film producer Tahir Hussain, who had also sought Faisal’s custody, did not have the money to take care of his brother. Aamir claimed that Faisal needed constant care due to his mentally instability. The court had earlier placed Faisal in the care of the JJ Hospital and asked the hospital to submit a report on his condition.
Coming out of the court, both Faisal and his father Tahir seemed visibly elated
"I am very thankful to the media and news channels for their support, for highlighting the matter. Today my son Faisal is going home with me, he presented his case very well to the judge, very intelligently," said Tahir Khan in a brief meeting with the press in which his wife, son and lawyer was present
Faisal said he was happy with the judge’s decision and was looking forward to standing by his father as a son should, as well as an "honest" livelihood – he declined to elaborate on his career plans. He also said his time in hospital was a "good human experience