March 21, 2013
Mumbai: Actor Sanjay Dutt, who has to spend another three-and-a-half-years in jail in the Mumbai serial blasts case, today said he is ‘heart broken’ and under ‘emotional distress’ after the Supreme Court verdict.
March 21, 2013
Mumbai: Actor Sanjay Dutt, who has to spend another three-and-a-half-years in jail in the Mumbai serial blasts case, today said he is ‘heart broken’ and under ‘emotional distress’ after the Supreme Court verdict.
Sanjay Dutt 'heart broken' after SC verdict, says he has already suffered for 20 years
"I have already suffered for 20 years and been in jail for 18 months. If they want me to suffer more I have to be strong. I am heart broken because today along with me, my three children and my wife and my family will undergo the punishment. I have always respected the judicial system and will continue to do so, even with tears in my eyes," he said in an emotional statement to the media.
With an estimated Rs 250 crore locked up in films involving the Bollywood star, he said he would complete all his films and not let anyone down.
"I am overwhelmed by the support of my fans, the industry people, the media and all the well wishers. They have always stood by me and supported me. I know in my heart that I have always been a good human being, respected the system and always been loyal to my country," he said.
Dutt, who confined himself in his 10th floor flat at 'Imperial Heights' in suburban Bandra with his family as Bollywood celebrities paid him visit to express solidarity, said he has to be strong for his family.
"My family is very emotional right now and I have to be strong for them. I am shattered and in emotional distress. I am sorry I can't come down and meet you all. God is great and he will guide me through this," he said in the statement.
53-year-old Dutt, who remained confined in his 10th floor flat at 'Imperial Heights' at Pali Hill in suburban Bandra, said in an SMS to the media he would explore legal options available after going through the verdict.
Earlier, his lawyer Satish Maneshinde had said he had accepted the punishment handed down by the apex court ‘as it is’.
Maneshinde, who represented Dutt at the trial in the blasts case in the TADA court, said he had spoken to the actor who will have to undergo three-and-a-half more years in jail.
"Sanjay Dutt told me I have accepted the judgement as it is. I have accepted it," Maneshinde said quoting the actor.
The lawyer said though they will pursue the legal course available, "I am not sure what relief he can claim".
"But Sanjay Dutt will abide by the apex court's order of undergoing the sentence of three-and-a-half years in letter and spirit. Three-and-a-half-years is not a long period," he said. "We have prepared him (for sentence) from the very beginning. Sanjay Dutt is a strong man and will fight for himself," Maneshinde said.
Eminent criminal lawyer Majid Memon, who defended many of the accused in the case, said there was only a ‘narrow’ window open for actor to seek relief after the Supreme Court judgement.
"He has only a narrow window of approaching a larger bench or file a review petition but in that case also, I am afraid that unless stay is granted on today's order, he will have to walk into the prison," Memon told reporters here.
Describing as ‘unfortunate’ Dutt's conviction, Memon said since the actor had already undergone 18 months' imprisonment, he was expecting that the apex court, after examining evidence against him and taking into account facts and circumstances singularly applicable to him, could give him the ‘benefit of sentence undergone’.
"But in its wisdom and fairness, the Supreme Court has felt that he needs to be sentenced to five years.
Consequently, he will have to go back and suffer the remaining period of his sentence.
"The law says once the highest court has passed the order, the law will take its own course. Proceedings will start unless stayed by the highest court," he said.
As Dutt remained closeted with close family and friends at his home, several Bollywood personalties including director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Vidya Balan went to him to express their solidarity.
B-town personalities Apoorva Lakhia, Milan Luthria, Sujoy Ghosh, Bunty Walia, Rumi Jaffery and Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui, a close family friend, also visited him.
Security at 'Imperial Heights' has been tightened with a police van being stationed inside the premises.
Courtesy: PTI
