Mamata Banerjee rallies behind Sanjay Dutt

Kolkata: Showing solidarity with actor Sanjay Dutt, who has been sentenced to five years in jail in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said he has "already suffered a lot" for his "blunder" and wished him a "calm and peaceful life".

"Many requests from the civil society and film personalities have come to me to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more. Though it is not in my hand, I feel that he has already suffered a lot for the blunder he committed earlier. From complete wreck, he has again picked up his career to unfold his potential," Banerjee said on Facebook. Describing Dutt`s late father Sunil as a friend, Banerjee said had the Congress leader been alive, he would have made all efforts to prevent Sanjay from "any more sufferings". "I knew Sunil Dutt ji during my Parliament days, when together we strongly fought against TADA. Eventually, government had to withdraw TADA. It was good that TADA was eventually withdrawn." "If he were alive, he would have no doubt made all efforts to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more. My heart also echoes the same sentiments. Let us all pray that Sanjay lives a calm and peaceful life," said Banerjee. Upholding the conviction of the actor under the Arms Act by a TADA (Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) court, the Supreme Court March 21 sent him to five years in prison. Dutt has been asked to surrender within four weeks. IANS