New Delhi: Government is exploring the
possibility of challenging in the Supreme Court the TADA court
decision absolving Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt from charges
under the anti-terror law in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts
case.
A government lawyer closely associated with the case
in the apex court said that the Law Ministry was looking into
the possibility of filing an appeal and Attorney General
G E Vahanvati has given his opinion on the issue.
Sources in the Ministry, however, refused to disclose
details of AG`s response sought by the Government after CBI
had expressed its reservations against not challenging the
acquittal of Dutt under TADA.
When contacted, Vahanvati said he has given the
opinion but refused to elaborate.
Dutt, 50, who was held guilty under the Arms Act for
possessing illegal weapons, was sentenced to six years
imprisonment on July 31, 2007 and has challenged his
conviction in the Supreme Court which had granted him bail.
When appeals and bail applications were filed by the
convicted persons including Dutt, CBI had taken the stand that
it would not challenge his acquittal on serious offences under
the anti-terror law including entering into conspiracy with
other accused in the March 1993 Mumbai blasts case.
The Bollywood star, who was appointed national General
Secetary of the Samajwadi Party before the last Lok Sabha
polls, had spent 18 months in jail during the pendency of the
trial.
Dutt was arrested on April 19, 1993 and his confessional
statement was recorded by the police on April 24.
He was first granted bail on May 5, 1993, but was
rearrested on July 4 same year and remained in jail till
October 16, 1995.
Dutt had filed an appeal in the apex court against his
November 28, 2006 conviction. The court granted him bail on
November 27, 2007.
Dutt was convicted under the Arms Act for illegal
possession of an AK-56 rifle, a 9mm pistol and grenades given
by co-accused Abu Salem before the Mumbai blasts.
Bureau Report
