Sanjay gets six years imprisonment

By: Raymond Ronamai
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Bollywood popular actor Sanjay Dutt has been sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment by a special court in connection to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. He was taken into custody after the announcement of the verdict. The Special court also has asked the actor to pay a fine of Rs.25000.

The actor had been convicted under the Arms Act for possessing a 9 mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle but is cleared of terrorist charges. Special judge PD Kode turned down the actor's plea for leniency under the Probation of Offenders Act (PoA) for good behaviour during the last 14 years. The court also refused to extend his bail. The 48-year-old actor was earlier cleared of conspiracy charges in the serial blasts in Mumbai. He had already served 16 months in jail.

"Sanjay was not a minor at that time. Acquiring a weapon of this nature suggests the character of the person, and is contrary to the law. It was an eminently dangerous act," said judge Pramod Kode.

However, Sanjay Dutt's friend Russi Mulla, who is one of the four including Sanjay Dutt sentenced today, has been freed under the Probation of Offenders' Act with a surety of Rs.100,000. He will be under observation for one year during which he will have to stay in Mumbai.