New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld actor Sanjay Dutt's conviction in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and his sentence was reduced from six to five years in jail. Sanjay Dutt, who has served 18 months in jail, will now have to spend another 3 years and 6 months in jail.
Sanjay Dutt's counsel requested the court that the actor be released on probation considering his past conduct and association with charitable and social work. However, the court was unimpressed saying it cannot be done considering the gravity of the crime, thereby reducing his sentence from 6 to 5 years. The apex court said that the evidence and materials perused by the TADA court in arriving at the decision against Dutt was correct.
Dutt can still file a review petition against the verdict within the next four weeks. If he doesn't appeal against his sentence in the given time period, he will have to surrender before the Bombay High Court and will be sent to jail to serve his sentence.
Reacting to the Supreme Court's judgement on 1993 Mumbai blasts case, Sanjay Dutt said, "Will see the copy and now I am looking for legal options. I still believe in the judiciary, my family is with me and I am still strong."
Sanjay Dutt's counsel Satish Maneshinde said he spoke to the actor who accepted the judgement as it is. "Have spoken to Sanjay Dutt. We accept the judgement as it is. Sanjay Dutt has said that he has accepted the judgement with humility. Another three and a half years are left, will see whatever happens as and when. Sanjay Dutt is strong enough. We will have to see what the court has said after seeing the judgement," he said. His sister Priya Dutt, who reached the court early on Thursday morning, said after the court verdict, "I do not know what to say."
A special TADA court had convicted 100 people in the serial blasts case in which 250 people died and more than 700 were injured. Sanjay 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.
The actor was convicted under the Arms Act while he escaped conviction under TADA. He was handed out an imprisonment of six years and was out on bail.
(With additional information from PTI)
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