Shilpa Shetty files court case against UK-based 'agent'

Mumbai, Aug 15 (UNI) Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty has filed a court case against UK-based Jasveer 'Jazz' Barton, who allegedly falsely claimed to be her 'agent' and made commitments and even signed a deal on her behalf, while the actress was participating in the UK reality show 'Big Brother'.

''We have put up a case at the City Civil Court, Mumbai, asking for an injunction against Barton's untrue claims and demands,'' informed Shilpa's spokesperson and publicist Dale Bhagwagar in a statement here today.

''Now that Shilpa is world famous, Barton has been trying to extract money from her. She has been sending her legal notices, seeking a cut from Shilpa's earnings,'' said Bhagwagar, adding ''Barton's demands are ridiculous, as Shilpa does not have any contract or agreement with her in the first place. By going to court, Shilpa is just protecting herself from her illegal claims.'' Barton, along with Bobby Khan, was instrumental in introducing Shilpa Shetty to Endemol--the casting-agency for 'Big Brother'. The UK media had started addressing Barton as Shilpa's 'agent' and Bobby Khan as 'manager.' ''Due to these incorrect media reports, business queries were being misdirected to Barton. But when we learnt that Jazz had begun signing financial deals and making commitments on Shilpa's behalf, it had to be announced and clarified that she was not the official agent,'' said Bhagwagar.

Taking offence to this, Barton began using derogatory language against Shilpa and her mother, Sunanda Shetty, in the UK media. She also tried to insinuate a racism angle, saying she ''would be deeply unhappy if Sunanda appointed a white Briton to represent Shilpa in the UK and worldwide.'' After slandering Shilpa in the western media, Barton came down to Mumbai and made derogatory statements against the actor and her mother, he claimed. On her visits to India, she was served two legal notices, after which, she hurriedly left the country.

''Subsequently, there was an exchange of more legal notices with Barton making illegal claims and monetary demands. Thus, Shilpa was left with no other alternative but to take legal action against Barton,'' added Bhagwagar.

UNI