MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Governor has forwarded a letter by MP Jaya Prada and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh to the State home department, seeking pardon for the convicted Sanjay Dutt, last week.

The Bollywood actor, Dutt who has been sentenced for five years of imprisonment by the Supreme Court in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts matter, has received tremendous support from the film and political fraternity alike.

Public relations officer of the Raj Bhawan, Umesh Kashikar confirmed the news, “The letter from Amar Singh and Jaya Prada seeking pardon for Sanjay Dutt was sent to the home department without any remarks or comments.”

March 26, actress and MP Jaya Prada along with Amar Singh met the Governor, requesting him to pardon Sanjay Dutt convicted for illegally possessing weapons under the Arms Act.

The Supreme Court has set a four-week deadline for the actor (out on bail since 2007) to surrender.

But does this forward from the Governor to the Home Department bring hope for the fallen star?

Additional home chief Secretary, Amitabh Rajan clarifies that forwarding the letter comes under routine procedure.

“Any letter given to the Governor is routinely forwarded to the home department. It does not imply the Governor is endorsing the pardon plea. I have not received the letter from the Governor’s office as yet, but have read about it in the newspapers,” says Rajan.