Mumbai court issues warrant against Sanjay Dutt

MUMBAI: A Mumbai court on Monday issued a non-bailable warrant against actor Sanjay Dutt after he failed to appear in court in a criminal case filed by producer Shakeel Noorani.

The arrest warrant adds to the trouble of the actor, who was recently sentenced to five years in jail by Supreme Court for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and is out on bail.

Producer Shakeel Noorani had moved the Andheri court alleging that the actor did not complete his film. He has sought damages to the tune of Rs 2.03 crore from the actor for leaving his film 'Jaan Ki Baazi' midway.

It may be recalled, in an order addressed to Dutt in February this year, the additional chief metropolitan magistrate had said Sanjay Dutt's attendance was necessary to answer the charge under section 506 (ii) (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Dutt was required to appear in court either in person or through a lawyer.

The court issued the warrant on Monday after the actor failed to appear in the court.

Speaking to Noorani said, "I am waiting for the court copy after which I will approach local police station for appropriate action."

The two have been engaged in a long-standing dispute over the alleged losses after Sanjay Dutt decided to leave Noorani's film.

Noorani launched "Jaan Ki Baazi" in 2002 with Dutt and Priyanka Chopra. The producer claims that halfway through the film, Dutt cancelled shooting and did not respond despite repeated attempts to contact him.

Noorani has also alleged that Dutt was paid Rs 50 lakh which was never returned to him.

He filed a case against Dutt with the IMPAA (Indian Motion Picture's Producers Association) which directed Dutt to pay the producer over Rs 2 crore for the losses incurred.

Noorani then moved the Bombay high court seeking the execution of the IMPAA order.

In 2010, the high court ordered attachment of two properties of Sanjay Dutt including a flat and his office in keeping with the arbitration award passed by the IMPAA.