Sanjay Dutt likely to get bail on Nov 27

New Delhi, Nov 25: The Supreme Court is likely to grant bail on November 27 to Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt presently serving six-year imprisonment in the Yerawada jail, Pune in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case. A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan had given ample indications to this effect on November 20 when the appeal, filed by Sanjay Dutt and three others convicted and sentenced in the case, came up for hearing.

The three-judge bench indicated that the apex court would pass a general order suspending the sentence and granting bail to those awarded lesser sentence and not involved in the conspiracy which resulted in the loss of over 250 innocent lives on March 12, 1993 when Mumbai was rocked by a series of bomb blasts.

Sanjay Dutt had been awarded a six-year jail term for an offence under the Arms Act and exonerated on terrorism and conspiracy charges.

He had already spent 18 months in jail and was seeking bail on the ground that he had never misused his liberty during the period he was on bail and always complied with the directions of the court.

The Bollywood star spent this Diwali in jail after the apex court adjourned hearing of his bail application till November 20.

In all, there were 123 accused in the case and it took 13 years to conclude the trial.

CBI had already made it clear before the apex court that it had no objection in case those, who were not actively and directly involved in the conspiracy, were granted bail.

Sanjay Dutt was convicted and sentenced for keeping arms including AK 56 illegally.

UNI