Sanjay Dutt seeks mercy, saying '' I love my country''

Mumbai, Nov 30 (UNI) Cleared of terror charges but held guilty for possessing an assault rifle and a pistol in the 1993 Mumbai's serial bomb blasts case, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt today sought mercy and leniency in punishment, saying '' I love my country''.

While recording his statement, two days after his conviction on the charge of possessing a prohibited AK-56 rifle and a 9 mm pistol in a notified area of the city, the nervous-looking filmstar narrated the good work done by his father Sunil Dutt and his own resolve to carry it forward. TADA court Judge Pramod Kode told him that the quantum of punishment to him could be upto ten years.

Speaking softly, slowly and respectfully in English through a court's interpretor instead of using the microphone installed in the witness box, Sanjay, before recording his statement, sought to know the quantum of punishment for the charges under which he has been convicted.

To this, Judge Kode said the minimum and maximum punishment for possessing a prohibited weapon in a notified area is 5 and 10 years respectively, while it is one and three years for possessing the pistol.

The bollywood star has been convicted of both the charges under the Arms Act. But he was acquitted of all charges under the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities ( Prevention) Act.

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