New Delhi, 21st March: The Supreme Court Delivering its verdict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, on Thursday upheld Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt’s conviction under the Arms Act but commuted his jail sentence from six years to five.
Delivering the verdict the SC said, “The circumstances and nature of offence was so serious that Dutt cannot be released on probation.” It also said that the evidence and materials perused by TADA court in arriving at the decision against the actor Dutt were correct.
Dutt had been given six-year jail term by the TADA court. As he has already spent 18 months in jail, he will now have to spend another three and a half years in prison.
The convicts, who are on bail, including Sanjay Dutt, will have to surrender within four weeks. Meanwhile, as per reports, he has decided to file a file a review petition against the verdict.
Dutt was convicted in November 2006 for illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle but was acquitted of more serious charges of criminal conspiracy under the now defunct anti-terror TADA.
Just after the verdict was announced, a visibly upset Priya Dutt, the actor’s sister, talking to reporters outside the court said, “I really don’t know what to say right now.”
Talking to a news channel Dutt’s counsel Satish Maneshinde said, “Sanjay Dutt is strong enough to face any sentence awarded by the Supreme Court.” He also said that he had talked to Dutt after the verdict was announced.
Shinde quoted the actor as saying: “I have accepted the judgement of the court with all humility and I respect the sentence.” As per reports around Rs 300 to 350 crores is riding on Sanjay Dutt’s upcoming film projects.
After a marathon 10-month-long hearing beginning November 1, 2011, the Supreme Court had in August 2012 reserved its verdict on appeals and cross-appeals in the 1993 Mumbai serial terror bombing case in which 257 people were killed and 713 were injured.
Bureau Report
Leave a Reply