Film actor Sanjay Dutt has tendered a written apology to a designated TADA court in Mumbai after he was pulled up for absenting himself from proceedings during the arguments tendered by CBI on his alleged complicity in the 1993 bomb blast case. He is facing the charge of accepting AK-56 rifle and other weapons from co-accused at his Bandra residence before the explosions shattered the metropolis on march 12, 1993.
Dutt appeared in person before designated judge P D Kode on October 19 and sought pardon for his absence from October 8 to October 11 when public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had advanced submissions on his alleged role in the conspiracy leading to the blasts. Accepting his apology, the court warned him against absenting himself from the proceedings and directed the actor to report periodically in this case which reached its fag end.
Dutt was in Los Angeles for shooting of film "Kaante" and had sought exemption from August 23 to October 15 for this purpose. However, the court had directed lawyer Farhana Shah to ensure that Dutt remained present for three days from October 8 when CBI was expected to argue on his alleged role. He informed the court that he could not come to India because he was unable to get air tickets. Soon after the terrorist strikes on USA there was tight security all around and their movements were also restricted. Even shooting was cancelled for few days from September 11, he said.
The actor pleaded that he would henceforth abide by the directives of the court and would not misuse his bail conditions.
Bureau Report