DUTT'S MARRIAGE NOT LEGALLY BINDING

DUTT'S MARRIAGE NOT LEGALLY BINDING

LATEST: Bollywood bad boy SANJAY DUTT's recent marriage to girlfriend MANYATA DILNAWAZ SHAIKH has been declared invalid after the bride's residence documents were found to have been forged. The couple reportedly wed in a secret ceremony in Goa on 7 February (08), with formal Hindu nuptials taking place four days later (11Feb08) in Mumbai, India. But when they tried to register their union in Goa, where Shaikh claimed to be living, officials discovered her documents were fake, meaning their marriage is not legally binding. Their application had been put on hold while officials looked into the matter, but the couple have now withdrawn their request completely and are seeking an annulment. Vithal Salkar, marriage registrar in Goa, says, "We had kept the marriage pending, but now they do not wish to pursue it further. The documents were not proper (sic)." Another official adds, "Sanjay Dutt and Manyata on Wednesday filed a joint declaration... stating they do not desire to solemnise their marriage under the Portuguese civil code, 1867." It is unclear whether they will remarry at a later date. The marriage problems are the latest events in Dutt's troubled life - in 2007, he spent nearly three months behind bars after being found guilty of illegal weapons charges in connection with the 1993 train bombings in Mumbai, which killed over 200 people. Dutt was released on bail in November (07) pending the outcome of his appeal to the Indian Supreme Court. A date for the hearing has yet to be set.