Noorani strikes back; accuses Dutt of underworld nexus

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: Sanjay Dutt - Shakeel Noorani dispute is getting murkier by the minute. After the sensational revelation by Sanjay Dutt’s lawyer Rizwan Merchant that Noorani used underworld connections to pressurise Dutt, film producer Noorani has retorted at Merchant’s allegations. Speaking to a news channel, Shakeel Noorani said, “As a matter of fact, Mr Dutt threatened to kill me at the hands of underworld. He used to go abroad to visit underworld dons who operated their network from South Africa.” Earlier, Noorani claimed that Dutt owed him Rs 2. 03 crore, which included Rs 50 lakh cash, paid to him as signing amount for an under-production film `Jaan Ki Baazi` and then walking out of his film half-way. Filing a case against Dutt in 2002, the Bombay High Court giving its verdict in Noorani’s favour, ordered the attachment of the actor`s home and office in Mumbai. Yesterday, Noorani`s lawyers said that if Dutt did not repay Noorani within a month, they would auction his properties.