Court stays Anita's petition

In what must be a respite for Rajesh Khanna's family, the Bombay High Court yesterday stayed till December 17 the proceedings in the case by Anita Advani who has claimed to have been in a live-in relationship with the late superstar. The proceedings in a Metropolitan Magistrate's Court at Bandra were stayed by Justice K U Chandiwal, who issued a notice to Advani, who claims that she looked after the actor in the last few years of his life as a wife. She also claimed to have video and photographs to show that she has fasted for him on Karwa Chauth and celebrated Ganpati with him at the bungalow.

    The court was hearing a petition filed by Dimple and Akshay Kumar challenging the proceses started by the magistrate against them and other family members. Twinkle and Rinke, Khanna's daughters, are also in the process of filing similar petitions. 
    Advani, in her complaint against Dimple and others, claimed she was driven out of Khanna's bungalow Ashirwad after his death and sought maintenance from the actor's estate.

    Dimple contended that she was the legally wedded wife of Khanna and as such no other woman can claim share in the wealth left behind by her husband. The Magistrate, Dimple argued, should not have entertained the complaint that made "baseless" charges.
    She contended that it was "unreasonable" for the Magistrate to even suggest that she and her family go in for a compromise with the complainant in which case he would refer the matter for mediation.
    The Magistrate, while hearing Advani's complaint, had earlier last week issued summons to Dimple, her daughters Twinkle Kumar and Rinke Saran and son-in-law Akshay Kumar asking them to appear in person before the court to answer the allegations, which besides domestic violence includes forging Khanna's will.

    Akshay Kumar supported Dimple's contention that Advani had no right to claim any share from Khanna's properties which is said to be to the tune of Rs 500 crores.