Manyata still married to Mehraj

published by Asianpost on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 14:14

Sanjay Dutt and Manyata

A Mumbai court has observed that Manyata is still married to Mehraj and thus her marriage with Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt is illegal and invalid.

The metropolitan magistrate of Bandra, western suburb of Mumbai admitted the application filed by Manyata’s first husband Mehraj-ur-Rehman that he is still married to Manyata since they have not been divorced yet.

Earlier, the court directed Sanjay and Manyata to appear before it this week and legally prove their marriage, and Manyata’s divorce to Mehraj.

Manyata stated that a qazi (Muslim priest) had annulled her marriage with Mehraj.
Mehraj filed an application with the court, stating that he was not sent a notice by the qazi about the divorce, which is the practice.

Advocate Taslim Khan appearing for Mehraj told IANS: “Mehraj was not even aware of his divorce from Manyata, and thus it is not valid and legal.”

Khan said that the court last week accepted Mehraj’s application and observed that since Manyata is still married to Mehraj, her marriage to Sanjay Dutt is illegal and not valid.