Sanjay Dutt's offence: He possessed AK-56 rifle

Mumbai, July 31 (UNI) Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment today, was arrested on April 19, 1993, for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

On November 28 last year, Dutt was exonerated of terrorist charges but was convicted under the Arms Act for possessing an AK-56 rifle and a 9-mm pistol.

Dutt had come into the possession of these weapons during the riots that had broken out in Mumbai following destruction of ''Babri Masjid'' at Ayodhya in December 1992, according to the prosecution case.

As per the CBI case filed in the TADA court, it was alleged that underworld don Abu Salem and his men had visited Dutt's house on January 16, 1993 and provided him with three AK-56 rifles, 25 hand grenades, and one 9 mm pistol and cartridges. Dutt had returned two AK-56 rifles, the hand grenades and the cartridges to film producers Hanif Kadawala and Samir Hingora who wre co-accused in the case. He had, however, kept one of the AK-56 rifles with himself.

According to the prosecution case, Dutt was shooting in Mauritius when he learnt that the Mumbai police was investigating his role in the 1993 blasts. He, therefore, instructed his friends to destroy the rifle.

According to the prosecution case, the rifle was destroyed by Yusuf Nalwalla, Kersi Adjania, Russi Mulla and Ajay Marwah. The rifle and cartridges had formed part of the consignment that had been smuggled into India, according to the CBI.

After his arrest, Sanjay Dutt spent 18 months in the jail and was, subsequently, released on bail. During this time, Dutt received tremendous support from the entire Indian Film Industry who supported him throughout his ordeal.

UNI