Indian actor Dutt sentenced to 6 years By RAMOLA TALWAR BADAM, Associated Press Writer


MUMBAI, India - Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for illegally possessing guns that he received from key plotters behind the 1993 bombings in Mumbai.

The well-known actor already has served 18 months in jail following his arrest, and it appears he will have to serve another 4 1/2 years behind bars.

Dutt was convicted last November on a charge of illegal possessing three automatic rifles and a pistol, but acquitted of more serious terrorism charges relating to the bombings.

There had been speculation that Dutt would get probation. But Judge Pramod Kode said that even though he wasn't sure Dutt possessed the guns with the intention of committing a terrorist act, merely having them "shows scant respect to the law."

"In no sense can this be said to be a minor offense," Kode said.

Dutt, who had been out on bail for the past 12 years while the trial dragged on, looked down and listened with his hands clasped behind his back as Kode read the sentence.

Within minutes, he was taken into custody. "Don't be sentimental, be calm and quiet," the judge said, as Dutt stood weeping before being led away.

The sentencing of Dutt, along with three others Tuesday, ends the sprawling Mumbai bombings trial, which dragged on for 12 years and saw more than 100 people convicted, 686 witnesses and 13,000 pages of testimony. The series of bombings on March 12, 1993, killed 257 people.

A dozen people were sentenced to death, while 20 others face life sentences. More than 50 others will serve between three and 14 years in jail.

Dutt was able to complete pending movie projects during bail extensions over the past year and only recently finished filming comedies like "Dhamaal" or "Loud Noise," and "Phatafat" or "Pronto."

The industry film could lose about $12 million for two unfinished Dutt films, "Alibag" and "Fraud," estimated Komal Nata, who runs Film Information, a trade guide.

"It is a body blow to the film industry," said Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt, who directed Dutt in the 1986 hit movie "Namm," or "Name."

Very sad day for all Sanju Baba (Munna Bhai) fans all over the world (me included). I can only pray for his well being and that he comes out sooner.

sooner and bigger than ever. thats why cash feaures crappy devgun?

oh well, I'll live.

Sanjay is def one of my fav hindi actors, but justice is justice, and may he get a fair treatment--regardless of if it's in his favor or not.

ps-Devgan has peformed well with good directors

i saw this on the indian news channels, he will be appealing to the supreme court i wish they at least let him make unnabhai chale amrika i really wanted to see that one it looks a lot funnier then the first two, damn judge

the only sad thing about this fiasco is the people who got injured or lost life i couldn't care less about worrying over sanjay's crimes whatever he did he has to pay. Yuvan, hurray for Ajay Devgan he is a very fine actor, have enjoyed many of his films too!

the whole system is a sham,how can you say sanjay dutt deserves what he gets in a law where someone who kills someone with a cricket bat gets sentenced 2 years imprisonment,and is out in a month,and someone who drives over someone on the footpath doesnt get in trouble but gets in trouble for shooting deer?

Well Sunjay's Dutts sister met with Sonia Gandhi today in New Delhi. Wonder what they talked about

this system should acquit sanjay dutt, untouched

excuse my ignorance--I've never heard of such events. would you happened to have credible online references?

The footpath incident, if an accident, is understandable. Cricket bat is just insane.

ok your honor vjmagic2002 (lol)- were you there at court proceeding to say what is sham what evidence do you have(lol)? ever heard of not guilty until proven guilty ? surprise it took 12 years for courts there to figure out a sentence for Mumbai trial wonder how long this new trial will drag on.

yuvvy sorry im too lazy to look for online references LOL but just google 'Navjot Singh..cricket bat..death' im sure something will come up lol

jadoo were you there when Sanjay acquired the guns? if so according to the backwards indian law you should get double the sentence of what Sanjay Dutt recieved haha

(lol) vjmagic2002 are you presiding supreme court judge over india law giving universal verdict ? court
reported sanjay got guns from bomb plotters so why the prayers if people lie with dogs they come up with fleas.

If he did the crime (which I think he did) he should do the time. I'm not at all sorry for him.
He thought he was a tough guy hanging around with the dons, look at him now. I wouldn't care if they locked him up forever and threw away the key. But hey, that's India and he'll probably be out pretty soon, just like Salman.

"excuse my ignorance--I've never heard of such events. would you happened to have credible online references?"

Yuvan, this incident happened in pre-internet era (probably early 90s where no one heard about net in India). So hard to find credible online references other than people's blog, but this was a cover story when it happened. The reason why he didnt get criminal punishment is because they "proved" that the death is not related to siddhu hitting him in bat!

But again, Siddhu and Sanjay cases are different. You are talking about a murderer vs terrorist.

I experienced life after bomb blast in coimbatore, so i know the pain. So I am happy with the verdict for bombay folks.

Above all, what worries me here is that few folks here still want to enjoy his movie!!!

(Please dont give me the "art" crap.)