Court summons Dutt over 'jhappi' remark

Chief judicial magistrate Manjula Sarkar, while directing for Sanjay Dutt’s personal appearance, fixed September 25 next for further hearing of the matter.

Earlier the court had written to the Mumbai police commissioner to serve the summons to the film actor after he failed to turn up in the court on previous dates as the summons could not be served to him.

According to sources, the summons were received by Dutt’s wife Manyata, as the former was currently abroad.

A chargesheet had been filed by the police in the court against Sanjay Dutt for his alleged “objectionable” remark on Mayawati while campaigning during last year’s general elections.
“Munnabhai” had, while addressing an election rally in Pratapgarh on April 16 last year, said that he was ready to give ‘jadu ki jhappi’ (magical hug) to Mayawati if she so wanted.

Finding his remarks  ‘objectionable’, the police had registered a case against him in Kotwali police station of the town. According to the law the film star could face a three-month sentence if convicted by the court. A similar chargesheet against Dutt has been filed in Barabanki district court also while a case was registered against him in Mau district also for making a similar remark on Mayawati.

Sanjay Dutt had later explained that he had made the remark in a lighter vein and had expressed regret if they had hurt the sentiments of the BSP supremo.