Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya to file petition in SC

New Delhi, Aug 6: Priya Dutt, the sister of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, is expected to file a petition in the Supreme Court today to challenge his sentence of six-year rigorous imprisonment given by a special TADA court under the Arms Act.

An application will be simultaneously made to secure Dutt's bail. A prayer for probation will form an integral part of the appeal.

Criticising the verdict, some of Dutt's colleagues and friends are planning to start a signature campaign to garner support for the actor.

Describing an attempt as 'unfair', Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said: "If someone starts such a campaign criticising the order of the court (before the prisoner seeks relief), it certainly amounts to contempt of court. I am watching the events carefully and if this continues, I will be forced to take legal action."

Priya, who urged Bollywood friends to restrain themselves from the support campaign, said she wants to take "the legal route".

The Dutt family is challenging the judgement given by a special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court for the illegal possession of arms on July 31.

Special Judge P D Kode also fined Rupees 25,000 on the star and rejected his probation plea.

Priya Dutt, a member of Lok Sabha from Mumbai, had already met Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi and apprised her of ongoing situation.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal said that the Congress Party should stand by Sanjay Dutt.

Sanjay Dutt has already spent nearly 16 months in prison before being released on bail in 1996.

ANI
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