TADA court to hear Dutt's appeal on Feb 20

Mumbai, Feb 18: The designated TADA court here will hear argumentsin the 1993 serial blast case by the defence counsel and publicprosecutor on February 20 on an application filed by Bollywood actorSanjay Dutt seeking relief under the Probation of Offenders Act.

The 48-year-old actor has been convicted by the TADA court underthe Arms Act for possessing a nine mm pistol and a Ak-56 assault rifle.He faces a jail term of five to 10 years under the Arms Act forpossession of weapons.

However, Dutt and his three friends -- Yusuf Nullwala, KersiAdajenia and Rusi Mulla (all freed from TADA charges) -- have appliedfor probation.

Senior counsel V R Manohar will argue in the court on behalf ofhis client, while Special Public Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam will contend onbehalf of the Maharashtra government. The prosecutor had earlieropposed Dutt's plea, saying that he was a habitual offender and in thepast had procured firearms.

UNI >