Dutt, Manyata directed to be present in court on Apr 15

Mumbai, Apr 1 (UNI) A Metropolitan Magistrate court today directed Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and his wife Manyata to remain present in court on April 15, to make their submission on Manyata's divorce with her first husband Mehraj Sheikh and their marriage.

Advocate Satish Maneshinde, who is representing Sanjay Dutt, moved an application for exemption from physical appearance in the court.

Metropolitan Magistrate G S Wankhade granted the permission and adjourned the matter till April 15.

Maneshinde was also directed to file a personal bond stating that Dutt will appear in the court on the next date of hearing.

The court had earlier observed that as per the Muslim Marriage Act of 1939, the ''Kazi'' does not have the power to dissolve a marriage as the husband's consent is must.

The court had also said Manyata's claim that she and Mehraj were divorced was false since there was no substantial evidence to this effect.

Following Manyata's marriage to Dutt in Goa, Mehraj, who is currently in jail in an extortion case, had filed a case challenging their marriage, saying they had violated the Muslim Marriage Act norms, which entails that without a formal divorce, a woman can not marry another person.

Mehraj told the court that he had not accepted the notice issued by the ''Kazi'' on the divorce and had not given his consent for the divorce.

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