New Delhi:
In a setback for Sanjay Dutt, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told the Supreme Court that it wants the actor's conviction in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case upheld. The investigating agency conveyed this to the top court today during a hearing of Mr Dutt's appeal against his conviction under the Arms Act.
After the blasts in 1993, Mr Dutt was arrested when he returned to Mumbai from a film shoot in Mauritius. He spent 18 months in jail before being granted conditional bail. In 2007, he was convicted by a Special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) court for illegally possessing a 9 mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle but was acquitted of more serious charges under the now defunct TADA law. The CBI did not challenge the acquittal. The actor was sentenced to six years in jail. In August 2007, he moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction, and sought bail. He was granted bail in November 2007.
In the court today, the CBI said the actor's conviction under the Arms Act and his six-year sentence should be upheld. However, it didn't press for TADA to be invoked against him. Sources say the agency is satisfied with the TADA court order that acquitted him of terror charges.
In his appeal against his conviction, Mr Dutt has said that he was in possession of a 9 mm pistol from September 1992. He said no arms or ammunition were recovered from him or his residence.
The Mumbai blasts took place on March 12, 1993 and left 257 dead and 713 injured. Property worth Rs. 27 crore was lost. 123 accused were tried by the CBI - 100 of them were convicted and the rest acquitted by the TADA court in Mumbai.
After the blasts in 1993, Mr Dutt was arrested when he returned to Mumbai from a film shoot in Mauritius. He spent 18 months in jail before being granted conditional bail. In 2007, he was convicted by a Special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) court for illegally possessing a 9 mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle but was acquitted of more serious charges under the now defunct TADA law. The CBI did not challenge the acquittal. The actor was sentenced to six years in jail. In August 2007, he moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction, and sought bail. He was granted bail in November 2007.
In the court today, the CBI said the actor's conviction under the Arms Act and his six-year sentence should be upheld. However, it didn't press for TADA to be invoked against him. Sources say the agency is satisfied with the TADA court order that acquitted him of terror charges.
In his appeal against his conviction, Mr Dutt has said that he was in possession of a 9 mm pistol from September 1992. He said no arms or ammunition were recovered from him or his residence.
The Mumbai blasts took place on March 12, 1993 and left 257 dead and 713 injured. Property worth Rs. 27 crore was lost. 123 accused were tried by the CBI - 100 of them were convicted and the rest acquitted by the TADA court in Mumbai.
