INDIA: India jails Bollywood star for five years for involvement in 1993 Mumbai blasts
Record ID:
1375200
INDIA: India jails Bollywood star for five years for involvement in 1993 Mumbai blasts
- Title: INDIA: India jails Bollywood star for five years for involvement in 1993 Mumbai blasts
- Date: 21st March 2013
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (MARCH 21, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) EXTERIOR OF INDIA'S SUPREME COURT DOME OF THE SUPREME COURT INDIAN FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEFENCE COUNSEL, SRIPRAKASH SINHA, SAYING: "Out of 11 death sentences, Supreme Court has confirmed only one death sentence of Yakub Memon. Rest of the death sentences have been commuted to life term. So far as life sentences are concerned, only one person, his sentence has been reduced from life to 10 years - Ashraful Rehman. Rest of the persons, the sentence remains the same. So far as other cases are concerned, including Sanjay Dutt, his sentence has been reduced from six years to five years. He has not been given relief of probation. This is the situation and all accused who have to surrender, they have to surrender within four weeks." SISTER OF BOLLYWOOD ACTOR, SANJAY DUTT, PRIYA DUTT, STANDING AMID CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (English) SISTER OF BOLLYWOOD ACTOR, SANJAY DUTT, PRIYA DUTT, SAYING: "I do not know what to say right now. I really don't know." PRIYA DUTT LEAVING IN A CAR MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (MARCH 21, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) EXTERIOR OF SANJAY DUTT'S RESIDENCE SIGN READING 'IMPERIAL HEIGHTS' FILE MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) SANJAY DUTT ARRIVING AT A COURT HEARING DUTT ESCORTED BY POLICEMEN DUTT WALKING FILE MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA (FILE - MARCH 12, 1993) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) PEOPLE WALKING NEAR A DAMAGED VEHICLE DEBRIS DAMAGED BUILDING DEBRIS
- Embargoed: 6th April 2013 12:18
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Crime
- Reuters ID: LVADFNAFRUGSK2GKBT5UYHWDMG5C
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: India's Supreme Court on Thursday (March 21) sentenced Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt to five years in jail for taking weapons from those involved in the 1993 bombings in Mumbai.
The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Yakub Memon, one of the main convicts, while death sentences handed down to 10 others were commuted to life.
Dutt, an immensely popular star, was found guilty of acquiring illegal weapons from those blamed for the bombings in Mumbai that killed 257 people.
He has already served 16 months in jail while awaiting trial.
"Out of 11 death sentences, Supreme Court has confirmed only one death sentence of Yakub Memon. Rest of the death sentences have been commuted to life term. So far as life sentences are concerned, only one person, his sentence has been reduced from life to 10 years - Ashraful Rehman. Rest of the persons, the sentence remains the same. So far as other cases are concerned, including Sanjay Dutt, his sentence has been reduced from six years to five years. He has not been given relief of probation. This is the situation and all accused who have to surrender, they have to surrender within four weeks," Sriprakash Sinha, the defence counsel, said.
At least 257 people were killed in 13 blasts at several Mumbai landmarks, including the Bombay Stock Exchange, a popular cinema and two crowded markets.
Dutt's sister Priya Dutt said she was speechless after the court verdict.
"I do not know what to say right now. I really don't know," she told reporters.
The bombings, police say, were carried out at the behest of crime syndicate boss Dawood Ibrahim to avenge the destruction of an ancient mosque by Hindu zealots in 1992 and subsequent riots in which many Muslims were killed.
A special anti-terrorism court has convicted 100 people over the attacks. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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