HC issues notice to producer Gaurang Doshi for Contempt of Court

The Bombay High court on Tuesday issued notices to film producer Gaurang Doshi in a contempt of court petition filed by his estranged wife Madhuri who claimed that her husband has not paid her the maintenance money, as directed by the court.

Advocate Satish Maneshinde, who filed the contempt petition against Doshi, informed the high court that “Whenever he (Gaurang) wants some relief like getting back his passports for going abroad or something else, he is present in court personally with his battery of lawyers. But when he has to pay up, he is not to be seen. We request the court to issue a show cause notice to him to be executed by the Gamdevi and Sion police station for letting him be present in court on the next date.”

Justice VM Kande and Justice Abhay Thipsay, issued notice to Doshi based on the arguments put forth.

As per the contempt petition, Madhuri had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Doshi and her in-laws on charges of harassment. Thereafter, the duo moved the family court for divorce.

Doshi had moved the high court for seeking the release of his passport which was impounded by the Gamdevi police during the hearing. The high court had directed him to deposit a sum of Rs 20 lakh by way of security and maintenance, which was then done. On re-submitting his passport the security deposit was refunded.

Later, the high court directed the couple to amicably settle the issue, bu the couple failed to do so. The court then refunded Doshi a sum of Rs8 lakh and directed him to pay Rs2 lakh to his wife and daughter as maintenance.

Doshi failed to do that for the months of September and October, after which Madhuri moved the contempt petition.

The petition prayed that Doshi be punished with imprisonment for six months or heavy cost be imposed on him. The bench has now adjourned the hearing in the matter till November.