Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt sentenced to six years in prison
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, July 31 - Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt on Tuesday has been given a six-year jail term for his conviction under the Arms Act, TADA for possessing arms that he received from key plotters behind the 1993 bombings in Mumbai.
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), Dutt was convicted in the case for the illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle but absolved of more serious terrorism charges under TADA in November last year.
Earlier, Dutt had already served 18 months in jail following his arrest after the police found weapons during a raid in his house in aftermath of the Mumbai bombings. Now, he would have to serve another four and a half years in prison.
According to Indian media reports, the Indian actor would appeal against the verdict in Supreme court.
It was widely speculated that “Vastav†and “Lage Raho Munna bhai†star would get probation. However, Judge Pramod Kode reading out his verdict said today that even though he wasn't sure Dutt possessed the guns with the intention of committing a terrorist act, merely having them "shows scant respect to the law", reported AP.
"In no sense can this be said to be a minor offense," Kode was quoted by AP as saying.
Dutt, who had been out on bail for the past 12 years while the trial dragged on, looked down and listened with his hands clasped behind his back as Kode read the sentence. Within minutes he had been taken into custody.
His lawyer, meanwhile, motioned for a stay so he could appeal the sentence to the supreme court.
The Mumbai blasts killed 257 people on March 12, 1993. A dozen people have been sentenced to death in the bombing trial, while 20 others face life sentences. More than 50 other people found guilty will serve between three and 14 years in jail.
