MUMBAI: The Honorable Supreme Court of India has upheld conviction of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt in the ’93 Mumbai bomb blasts case under the Arms Act. Holding the evidence and materials perused by the TADA court against Dutt as correct, the Supreme Court has decreed imprisonment to the actor.
However, as per the verdict, the six year jail term given by TADA has been reduced by the apex court to five years.
Dutt, who has already served 1.5 years in jail, will now have to spend another 3.5 years in jail.
The actor can still file a review petition against the verdict within the next 4 weeks. If he doesn’t appeal against his sentence in the stipulated duration, Sanjay Dutt will have to surrender before the Bombay High Court and will be sent to jail to serve his sentence.
Counsel on behalf of the ‘Zilla Ghaziabad’ star, requested the SC to release Sanjay on probation considering his charitable activites and past conduct. Unimpressed, the Court rejected the plea considering the gravity of the crime.
The news has, expectedly shocked the film fraternity. While sister Priya Dutt immediately after the court verdict said, “I do not know what to say,” others have been more vocal.
Priyanka Chopra: My heart goes out to Sanju sir and his family..The nicest gentlest person..I pray for some respite for him through our judiciary..
Arshad Warsi: I am numb, I don’t know what to say. Sanjay Dutt is not a criminal. This is too harsh a decision.
Bipasha Basu: Saddened and shocked with the news about Sanjay Dutt’s Jail sentence. Strength to him and his family.
Kunal Kohli: The ’93 blast case should NOT be made about Sanjay Dutt. The Real planners are sitting safely in Pakistan like Osama Bin Laden was.
Mahesh Bhatt: Man lives in hope and dies in hope! I am hopeful that the apex courts verdict will finally bring enduring peace in Sanjay Dutt’s life.
Karan Johar: I am truly shattered to hear of Sanju’s sentence…the nicest guy i have known just doesnt deserve this…my heart goes out to him….
Pritish Nandy: The real conspirators of the Bombay blasts must be brought back to India and tried. Sanjay’s trial is just part of collateral damage. I will be very sad to see Sanjay Dutt go back to jail… where I used to meet him years ago. A second term will destroy the man.
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..
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 ..
Hrithik Roshan: I cannot comprehend. I know the law is the LAW. But I can bet my Life to say that Sanju sir doesn’t deserve this! The most loved man! i stand for Sanjay dutt.
Anubhav Sinha: Sending out a big big hug to Sanju. The most forgiving man I know. Sad he could not be forgiven himself.
Ameesha Patel: Feeling an awful pit in my stomach at sang;s judgement..he is a sweetheart..hope a miracle happens n saves him
Arjun Rampal: My heart goes out to Sanju and his family. Just numbed by the news.
Riteish Deshmukh: Having Worked with Sanjay Dutt in three films n 10yrs in d industry one thing I can say for sure is that he is the nicest n d most loved.
Background: 100 people had been convicted by a special TADA court in the 1993 serial blasts case in which 250 people died and more than 700 were injured. Amongst them, Bollywood actor 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.
