The court refused to stay his conviction in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. Dutt was representing the Samajwadi Party as its candidate for the Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.
The Court said that Dutt was convicted for serious offense under the Arms Act by a Mumbai TADA Court and was disqualified from contesting the elections under the Section 8 (3) of the Representation of People Act, which debars a person sentenced to two or more years of imprisonment, from standing for polls.
While keeping in mind that Dutt was not a habitual criminal, the Bench said that it was not a fit case to grant him relief.
Dutt was sentenced to six-year jail term on 31 July, 2007 and had spent 18 months in jail during the pendency of the trial. He had filed an appeal against his 28 November, 2006 conviction in the apex court, which had granted him bail on 27 November, 2007. Dutt was convicted under the Arms Act for possession of an AK-56 rifle, a 9 mm pistol and grenades given by co-accused Abu Salem before the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
