Congress leaders from Rajasthan on Thursday submitted before court a 'nikhahnama' in support of their claim that Dharmendra, contesting the Lok Sabha election from Bikaner, changed his religion to Islam in order to marry noted actress and Rajya Sabha member Hema Malini.

Hema Malini is the actor's second wife. Congress leaders K K Mishra and Akthar Beg submitted the evidence before the first class Judicial Magistrate Narendra Jain, following which the court has fixed the further date in the case to April 24.

They allege that Dharmendra has not divorced his first wife as per the Hindu Marriage Act and therefore his nomination should be cancelled, as he had not given correct information about his marriage with Hema Malini.

Advocate Shailendra Dwivedi, who is fighting the case on behalf of the Congress leaders, said, "The court has completed the hearing of the complainants in the matter and has also admitted the fresh evidence as 'nikahnama' in the case."

The complainants also demanded for the termination of the membership of Hema Malini from Rajya Sabha on the ground of her alleged illegal marriage with Dharmendra.

According to the complainant Akthar Beg, the 'nikah' between Dilawar Khan (Dharmendra) and Ayesha Bi (Hema Malini) was solemenised in Mumbai on August 21, 1979.

The 'nikahnama' also mentioned the name of Dharmendra's father as Kewal Krishna and his residence at Juhu scheme, Mumbai, while it mentioned the name of Hema Malini's father as R Chakravarty and her residence at Jaihind Society in Mumbai, he said.

Besides, it also mentioned the amount to be paid as 'meher' as Rs 1,11,000, Beg said. While the nikah was performed in 1979, another marriage as per 'Iyenger' tradition was performed on May 2, 1980, he added.