Mumbai, Aug 07: In keeping with a judicial directive, film actor Sanjay Dutt, accused in the 1993 bomb blast case, today appeared before special judge P D Kode after his return from South Africa even as the court exempted him from appearance till August 10. Sanjay arrived at the court at 10:30 am to register his presence at the Central Prison which houses the special Tada court, his lawyer Farhana Shah said.
The court had earlier allowed Sanjay to go abroad for shooting of film from July 14 but had asked him to appear today. Sanjay had urged the court to allow him visit Tanzania as well. Accordingly, designated Justice P D Kode permitted Sanjay to visit South Africa and Tanzania for film shooting.
The actor had been warned not to maintain any contact with the absconding accused and ensure that his lawyer was present in the court during his absence. Sanjay is facing the charge of possessing an ak-56 rifle and destroying the weapon. He has already denied the charges.
The court had on July 7 modified the charge of conspiracy framed against Sanjay and 115 others with a view to include the name of co-accused Majnu Mustaffa, brother of absconding accused Mohammed Dossa.
In a related development, 86 accused on bail in this case have been exempted till august 10 and directed to appear on the following day. Bureau Report