Sanjay Dutt, Manyata say they are not married

[netfree]

MUMBAI: In a dramatic turn to relations between Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and his friend Manyata, the couple has told a court here that they are not legally married and therefore cannot be prosecuted for bigamy.

The couple, in an application filed before the Sessions Court here, challenged the allegations of bigamy levelled by Manyata's first husband Meraj Rehman, an under trial in a case related to sending obscene SMSs to Manyata.

The couple said they have not committed an offence of bigamy as there is no material to prove the validity of their marriage under law.

Challenging the order of a court in suburban Bandra for legal proceedings against them for bigamy, the couple said their reported marriage in Goa is nullity.

Dutt and Manyata, in their application, said that in order to prosecute them for bigamous marriage, it is necessary that their marriage must be proved valid.

The application said that in the absence of any material to prove that they are married, no offence of bigamy can be made out against them.

The couple claimed that in the absence of any proof of essential ceremonies of a valid marriage, no inference of marriage between them can be drawn.

Additional Sessions Judge S N Sardesai on Monday admitted the application and stayed the proceedings against Dutt and Manyata in the Bandra court and called for the records of the case.

The matter will be heard before the Sessions Court on April 23.