TADA court allows Sanjay Dutt to go abroad

MUMBAI: A TADA court has allowed film actor Sanjay Dutt, accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, to visit European countries for a film shooting assignment till May 24, on certain conditions.
       
The permission was granted by designated Judge PD Kode, who asked the actor to file a detailed programme of his visit with the registrar.

 

The actor's lawyer Farhana Shah pleaded that Sanjay had to go to London, Denmark, Copenhagen and Paris to shoot for an untitled film directed by Abbas-Mustan.

 

The court warned the actor to refrain from contacting absconding accused in the case and asked him to remain present in court within 48 hours of getting a notice in case it was required. In his absence, the court asked Sanjay to ensure that his lawyer was present.
      
Sanjay is facing the charge of possessing an AK-56 rifle and later destroying it with the help of friends. The actor has denied the allegation and witnesses have not supported the prosecution.
      
It is the case of the prosecution that some accused, including extradited gangster Abu Salem, had gone to Dutt's residence and handed over an AK-56 rifle.

 

The court is busy preparing to deliver the verdict and summons to accused to appear before it from time to time.

 

About 13,000 pages of evidence have been recorded and more than 600 witnesses have deposed before the court.
      
Altogether 257 people were killed and 713 injured when a series of bomb blasts shattered 13 places in the city, damaging property worth Rs 27 crore on March 12, 1993.