Govt to probe sting operation on Dutt lawyer

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Saturday announced to probe into the sting operation by a news channel which had shown Sanjay Dutt's lawyer Satish Maneshinde making certain remarks on the actor in connection with the 1993 serial blasts case.

The issue was raised in the in Maharashtra assembly after Question Hour by Devendra Phadanvis (BJ), who referred to Maneshinde's reported remarks on the actor, convicted under the Arms Act, in the sting operation.

"If there are doubts over the way the prosecution handled the Dutt case, it should be reopened like the Jessica Lall murder case," the Opposition legislator said, adding he was not committing any contempt of the court by raising the issue in the House.

"This is a sensitive issue and will be probed by the Crime Branch," Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil assured the House.

Dutt, who figures among 100 convicts, was found guilty by a special court here of illegal possession of arms under the Arms Act, but acquitted under the more stringent anti-terror law TADA.

The court is expected to pronounce the quantum of sentences on the convicts on April 19 after the end of a 14-year-old trial last year.