Allahabad high court stays summons order against Sanjay Dutt

The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court today stayed a summons order issued by a Pratapgarh court against actor Sanjay Dutt for his alleged derogatory remarks against chief minister Mayawati.

The order was passed by the single bench of Justice SS Chauhan, which directed the government counsel to file a counter affidavit within four weeks and the petitioner to file a rejoinder two weeks thereafter.

During an election rally in support of Samajwadi Party candidates during Lok Sabha polls, Dutt allegedly made some derogatory remarks against Mayawati.

Later an FIR was lodged against the actor and a charge sheet was filed in the Pratapgarh court last February.

The chief judicial magistrate's court issued a summoning order against Dutt in April, which the actor prayed should be quashed.

He has also challenged the charge sheet filed against him by police in Pratapgarh court.

"In the meantime the operation of the summoning order passed in case of the state versus Sanjay Dutt pending in the court of CJM Pratapgarh shall remain stayed," the court said.