Eighty-year-old Fernandes suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, was brought to the court on a wheelchair by his wife at 4 pm. After discussing with Fernandes, Justice V K Shali said the former minister would stay with Kabir, who has been taking care of him for the past several months.

The judge, after consulting Kabir and three brothers of Fernandes in his chamber for an hour, said the case will be taken up for further hearing on July 19.

The judge had asked Kabir to produce Fernandes before the court to know his response following a petition filed by his brothers for his custody.

Following an application filed by Richard and Michael, the brothers of Fernandes, the court had said: “The person who, due to some incapability, was not able to be heard, the court wants to know what is in his mind to settle the issue.”

The brothers had approached the court seeking custody of their brother alleging that the former minister is not being treated properly by his wife. They alleged that Kabir, who was estranged from her husband since 1986, has kept Fernandes in captivity and was not allowing others to meet him.