Actor Celina Jaitly has spoken publicly about her ongoing custody battle, claiming that she is currently unable to communicate with her three children despite having joint custody under an Austrian Family Court order. In an emotionally charged statement shared on social media, the actor detailed her separation, legal struggles, and the circumstances that led her to return to India.
Jaitly said she left Austria on October 11, 2025, in the early hours of the morning with the help of neighbours, alleging that she had endured what she described as “systematic oppression and abuse” during her marriage. She wrote that leaving the country meant leaving her children behind, a decision she said she was forced to take to protect her dignity and personal safety.
After returning to India, the actor claimed she faced further challenges, including difficulty accessing her own home — a property she says she purchased in 2004, prior to her marriage. She alleged that she had to borrow money to meet legal expenses while simultaneously fighting for custody and communication rights with her children abroad.
Despite a subsisting order from an Austrian court granting joint custody, Jaitly alleged that she has been denied all contact with her sons. She stated that repeated efforts to ensure regular communication have failed, leaving her “heartbroken”.
The actor further alleged that attempts to resolve the matter amicably were met with what she called unreasonable demands, including conditions related to her premarital assets. According to her statement, she believes there has been interference in her relationship with her children, including selective exposure to narratives and emotional pressure, which she claims has resulted in them being “brainwashed to say things against me”.
Jaitly also revealed that she was advised to take up low-paid work in Austria to retain shared custody, which she described as impractical and unjust given her professional background. She added that she filed a domestic violence case last year and sought sole custody of her children, while also alleging financial misconduct by her estranged husband.
Both parties reportedly appeared before a court in Andheri in December, and the legal proceedings are ongoing across jurisdictions. Jaitly said her primary focus remains the welfare of her children and restoring her ability to communicate with them.
The actor concluded her statement by expressing solidarity with others who have faced abusive marriages, writing that her decision to speak out was meant to encourage those going through similar situations to know they are not alone.
