Actor Sanjay Dutt has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Supreme Court which upheld his conviction for illegally possessing weapons in a case linked to the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. Over 250 people were killed in the terror attack. Because he has already served 18 months in jail, Mr Dutt will be imprisoned for over three years. The judges, who shaved off a year from his original sentence, ruled out his release on probation describing the nature his crime as “serious.” They said Mr Dutt, who is 53, must be jailed within four weeks
“Whatever is the judgment of the court I will respect it. I want all to pray for me. God is great,” was Mr Dutt’s message to his fans, as shared by a friend who was with him in Mumbai.
The actor had originally been sentenced to serve six years in prison for possessing an automatic rifle and a pistol that were supplied to him by men subsequently convicted in the bombings. He then served 18 months in jail for acquiring an AK-56 rifle from gangster Abu Salem before he was released on bail in November 2007, pending an appeal in the Supreme Court.Mr Dutt had been acquitted of the more serious charges of terrorism and conspiracy. Mr Dutt has maintained that he knew nothing about the bombing plot and that he asked for the guns to protect his family after receiving threats during the city’s communal riots.
His sister, Priya Dutt, who is a Congress MP, broke down in court after hearing the verdict. (Read) A total of 100 people had been convicted of involvement in the blasts by a TADA court in 2006. The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence given to Yakub Memon, who is a brother of Ibrahim ‘Tiger’ Memon, one of the masterminds of the bombings who is missing. However, death sentences given to 10 other men convicted of carrying out the blasts were commuted to life in prison. Some of the men have been in prison for nearly two decades.
Dutt to explore legal options, says he believes in judiciary
Actor Sanjay Dutt, who has to undergo three-and-a-half years in jail in the Mumbai serial blasts case, on Thursday said he believed in judiciary and would explore legal options after going through the Supreme Court verdict.
“I still believe in judiciary. My family is with me and I am still strong,” he said in his first reaction to the judgement upholding his conviction in the 1993 case.
53-year-old Dutt, who remained confined in his 10th floor flat at ‘Imperial Heights’ at Pali Hill in suburban Bandra, said in an SMS to the media he would explore legal options available after going through the verdict.
Earlier, his lawyer Satish Maneshinde had said he had accepted the punishment handed down by the apex court “as it is”.
Maneshinde, who represented Dutt at the trial in the blasts case in the TADA court, said he had spoken to the actor who will have to undergo three-and-a-half more years in jail.
“Sanjay Dutt told me I have accepted the judgement as it is. I have accepted it,” Maneshinde said quoting the actor.
The lawyer said though they will pursue the legal course available, “I am not sure what relief he can claim”. “But Sanjay Dutt will abide by the apex court’s order of undergoing the sentence of three-and-a-half years in letter and spirit. Three-and-a-half-years is not a long period,” he said. “We have prepared him (for sentence) from the very beginning. Sanjay Dutt is a strong man and will fight for himself,” Maneshinde said.
Eminent criminal lawyer Majid Memon, who defended many of the accused in the case, said there was only a “narrow” window open for actor to seek relief after the Supreme Court judgement.
“He has only a narrow window of approaching a larger bench or file a review petition but in that case also, I am afraid that unless stay is granted on today’s order, he will have to walk into the prison,” Memon told reporters here.
Describing as “unfortunate” Dutt’s conviction, Memon said since the actor had already undergone 18 months’ imprisonment, he was expecting that the apex court, after examining evidence against him and taking into account facts and circumstances singularly applicable to him, could give him the “benefit of sentence undergone”.
“But in its wisdom and fairness, the Supreme Court has felt that he needs to be sentenced to five years. Consequently, he will have to go back and suffer the remaining period of his sentence.
“The law says once the highest court has passed the order, the law will take its own course. Proceedings will start unless stayed by the highest court,” he said.
As Dutt remained closeted with close family and friends at his home, several Bollywood personalties including director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Vidya Balan went to him to express their solidarity.
B-town personalities Apoorva Lakhia, Milan Luthria, Sujoy Ghosh, Bunty Walia, Rumi Jaffery and Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui, a close family friend, also visited him. Security at ‘Imperial Heights’ has been tightened with a police van being stationed inside the premises.
Bollywood says sanju doesn’t deserve it
Calling it a “massive blow”, Bollywood fraternity today expressed sadness and shock after Sanjay Dutt was sentence to five years in jail by the Supreme Court for illegal arms possession during the 1993 serial Mumbai blasts. The 53-year-old has already served 18 months of his term and will now have to spend three and a half years in jail. The court has given the actor four weeks time to surrender.
The fate of three big budget films is riding on Dutt with ‘Zanjeer’ remake, ‘Policegiri’ and Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘Peekay’, currently under production. Dutt was also slated to reprise his role of a lovable goon in Hirani’s third Munnabhai film, whose future remains unclear now. Director-producer Karan Johar, who has signed Dutt in his upcoming film ‘Ungli’, said, “I am truly shattered to hear of Sanju’s sentence… the nicest guy I have known just doesn’t deserve this… My heart goes out to him.” Director Subhash Kapoor, who was recently signed on to shoot the third ‘Munnabhai film, said he was surprised by the judgement. “I am in shock and surprised. I personally expected the Supreme Court to be more lenient to him. Have no words to express my shock,” Kapoor told. When asked whether the judgement will affect the fate of the third Munnabhai film, Kapoor said, “It’s too early to comment on this issue. My producers Vidhu Vinod Chopra is in America now and Raju (Hirani) is busy shooting ‘Peekay’. Once Vidhu gets back, I will speak to him about this. The film was in a very nascent stage.” Director Kunal Kohli too batted for Dutt, saying, “The ‘93 blast case should not be made about Sanjay Dutt. The Real planners are sitting safely in Pakistan like Osama Bin Laden was.” Some filmmakers and actors even took to Twitter to share their views on the conviction. Here’s what they had to say: Mahesh Bhatt: Heart Broken. Just heard that Sanjay Dutt has to go to jail for five years. I expected mercy! Alas, it did not happen. Vishal Dadlani: I stand with Sanjay Dutt, always will. He’s my brother. He made mistakes, but he’s served more than his time, in terms of mental stress. I am not contesting or denying the law, but it breaks my heart that he has to face this. He has done so much, so selflessly for so many! When I barely knew him, I needed some personal help in a family matter. I just asked, and Sanjay went above and beyond duty to help. I’m not denying the law. But am I not allowed to feel sad for a friend?
Shekhar Ravijani: He’s the most loved person in the business. One of the nicest people I know. Man with a big heart. My brother. I am with Sanjay Dutt. Ashish Chowdhry: There are bad guys, there are nice guys. Sanjay Dutt most definitely is the latter. By far he’s the kindest and nicest guy I know. I’m really sad. Aftab Shivdasani: Sad to know the verdict on Sanjay Dutt, my heart goes out to him and his family. He was a fighter, is one and will always be one. Dabboo Ratnani: Shattered to hear about Sanjay Dutt. Love him. He is like my elder brother and has a pure heart of gold. God give him strength. Celina Jaitly: I am shocked to hear the verdict on Mr. Dutt. My heart goes out to the Dutt family. We all love you Mr Dutt.
