Dadar Court Issues Warrant Against Murtaza Hamid Over Unpaid Maintenance

On Monday, the Dadar Metropolitan Magistrate Court issued a non-bailable warrant against Murtaza A. Hamid, a 50-year-old blind businessman, after he failed to comply with a court order to pay Rs 50,000 to his estranged wife in an ongoing domestic violence case.

The Judicial Magistrate First Class issued the fresh warrant after Hamid failed to deposit the specified amount, which was a condition set in January 2026 to stay an earlier arrest warrant from November 2025. Hamid's estranged wife approached the court again through her advocate, Adnan Mookhtiar, after the payment was not made.

According to the wife, Hamid's outstanding maintenance arrears had accumulated to Rs 24.30 lakh by November 2025. The non-payment stands in contrast to Hamid's national profile in 2019, when he publicly pledged to donate Rs 110 crore to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the welfare of martyred jawans after the Pulwama attack.

The couple has been living separately since 2021. The wife alleged she suffered physical abuse and initiated proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. She stated that the court had originally directed Hamid to pay her Rs 40,000 every month starting from her 2021 application, but she had not received any money.

In January 2026, the Dadar court had stayed the execution of the November 2025 arrest warrant on the condition that Hamid deposit Rs 50,000 as early as possible while the main application and interim pleas were being resolved. The court had also suggested that the parties explore mediation.

When contacted, Hamid stated he was unaware of the latest order and described it as an ex parte decision. He noted that he is blind, had not contested the order, and would speak with his advocate to take appropriate legal steps.