CBI opposes Dutt plea on probation report;hearing deferred to Mar 5

Mumbai, Feb 28 (UNI) CBI today strongly opposed Filmstar and blast convict Sanjay Dutt's bail plea seeking direction to call for a Probation Officer's report while considering his application under the Probation of Offender's Act (POA) and deferred the hearing till March 5.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam for CBI, argued the actor's application is premature as the court has not yet decided to extend the benefit to him under the POA, hence, the application need not be entertained.

He had cited various court orders and contended that the court can call for the Probation Officer's report only when the court decides to give him benefit but in this case, benefit of the Act to the convict is in question therefore the present application do not stand.

Replying to the argument made by CBI, the actor's counsel Satish Maneshinde cited the apex court ruling and contended it is mandatory on part of the court to first call for the officer's report and then decide on the plea.

He said in this regard Maharashtra government had formulated certain rules upon which designated judge P D Kode asked him to produce the copy of the same and adjourned the hearing till March 5.

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