Final countdown for Sanjay Dutt begins

Like a good film, the build up to the climax of the 1993 serial blasts trial — the sentencing of actor Sanjay Dutt — has everyone hooked. The Munnabhai star turns 48 today. But celebrations have taken a back seat owing to the impending sentencing on Tuesday, July 31.

It was a Tuesday on November 28 last year when Dutt was acquitted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (Tada) for being a part of the blasts conspiracy, and instead was convicted for a lesser offence of illegal possession of arms (including an AK56 rifle) under the Arms Act. This Tuesday, the Tada court will decide the quantum of punishment for him and his three associates, Yusuf Nulwala, Kersi Adejania and Rusi Mulla, who helped destroy the weapons.

Their charges carry a minimum sentence of five years in jail and a maximum imprisonment of 10. However, all four have sought probation, which provides that a convict’s sentence be suspended instead of being served in jail.

Dutt’s acquittal under Tada, the now-repealed stringent anti-terrorist act, follows his reel transformation from a cold, calculating Khalnayak to the lovable bloke, Munnabhai. In fact, the actor is banking on his mass appeal to swing the tide in his favour. Since his conviction, several letters have poured into the Tada court, requesting Judge PD Kode to be lenient with the ‘man-child’. However, the 12 death sentences already meted out in the case have shaken the actor’s calm.

If granted probation, not only will the actor walk free, but will also not carry any of the disqualifications associated with a criminal conviction. For instance, he can contest elections and will not have to tick the ‘prior conviction’ box on disembarkation forms during international travel. Probation, however, can carry certain conditions such as mandatory monthly attendance at a police station, restriction on travel and prohibition on alcohol consumption.

During the 14-year trial, Dutt lost his first wife Richa to cancer, lost custody of his daughter Trishala to her maternal grandparents, divorced second wife Rhea Pillai and lost his father, Sunil Dutt in May 2005. On the upside, his acting career took off, he now shares a good relationship with Trishala, 18, and his sister, Priya, is a Congress MP. His life’s rocky ride awaits yet another landmark.