Yet another twist has been added to the turbulent
relationship between Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and Manyata with
the couple telling a Mumbai court that they are not "legally
married".
Challenging the allegations of bigamy levelled by Manyata's first
husband Meraj-ur-Rehman, the couple told a Mumbai court that there
was no material to show the validity of their marriage in the eyes
of the law, Dutt's lawyer Rizwan Merchant told IANS.
Earlier, Dutt and Manyata were granted a reprieve till April 23 when
the Mumbai Sessions Court stayed the proceedings against them by the
Bandra court.
Additional Sessions Judge S.N. Sardesai admitted a revision application
filed by Manyata and exempted the couple from appearing before the
Bandra court April 15, Merchant said.
Meeraj-ur-Rehman filed a petition in the Bandra magistrate's court
that his marriage with Manyata has not been dissolved and he is still
legally married to her.
The sessions court also stayed the proceedings at the Bandra court
and called for the records of the case. It has posted the hearing
of the revision application April 23.
The Bandra court March 11 ordered issuance of process against Dutt
and Manyata, observing that their marriage was illegal.
The order was passed following an application filed by Manyata's
first husband, Meraj-ur-Rehman, claiming that he is still legally
married to Manyata.
Dutt and Manyata had a court marriage in Goa Feb 7.