Chaos outside TADA court; Dutt family members absent

MUMBAI: High security and chaos prevailed outside the special TADA court here on Tuesday as it pronounced the much-awaited sentence on actor Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 serial blasts case.

Police personnel were present in large numbers outside the Arthur Road Jail in central Mumbai, fearing protests from relatives of other convicts who had said they would protest if Dutt was shown any "leniency".

The film star, convicted under the Arms Act, was sentenced to six years imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 for the illegal possession of an assault rifle and a pistol.

Mediapersons were present outside the courtroom in fairly large numbers with reporters and photo journalists scrambling to get pictures or report the news as quickly as possible.

Dutt's supporters, who were also present outside the court, were disappointed upon hearing the sentencing.

Members of the actor's family were conspicuously absent from near the court, but sources said they were at a five-star hotel near the jail premises, keeping a close watch on the proceedings.