Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt, once a prominent Bollywood actor, has told the Supreme Court that he was not involved in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case for which he was convicted.
This latest appeal is one of a few currently being heard by the Supreme Court in relation to those who were convicted of involvement in the 1993 blasts which killed 257 people.
Dutt was convicted after police found a rifle and ammunition in his possession. His lawyer, Harish Salve, told the court that Dutt owned three rifles because his family had been getting threats after the Babri Masjid demolition.
'He had nothing to do with it (the 1993 Mumbai blasts) before, during and after the blasts,' Salve
said. 'Crime has many facets. A crime is under Indian Penal Code but aimed to awe the society.'
Justice Sathasivam then questioned Salve about Dutt’s relationship with renowned underworld criminal Dawood Ibrahim.
'He had dinner with Dawood Ibrahim in his house in Dubai with two film producers,' Salve told the court, before adding that Dutt did not have any kind of friendship with Ibrahim.
The judge also inquired into Dutt retracting his confession, asking:
'Why did he retract after one-and-a-half years? You [the actor] could have done it immediately.'
In response, Dutt’s lawyer said: 'This was not a case under the TADA at all, and confession would have no relevance without…any conspiracy. When there is no nexus, confession can’t be the basis for conviction.'
He also argued that there was no 'inextricable linkage' between the fact that Dutt was in possession of arms and the blasts that occurred.
Proceedings are expected to continue later this month.
Dutt was sentenced to six years in jail in 2007 for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai blasts. Prior to this, Dutt featured in many famous Bollywood films including
Naam (1986),
Kabzaa (1988) and
Hathyar (1989).