I was not surprised by Supreme Court's decision: Sanjay Dutt

Lucknow, Mar 31 (ANI): Bollywood actor-turned- politician Sanjay Dutt on Tuesday said he was not surprised by the Supreme Court's decision to disallow him from contesting the upcoming general elections.

"I was not surprised by the Supreme Court's decision. I respect the decision of the honourable court. I am a law-abiding citizen and I really appreciate that the honourable court had absolved me from Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA)," Dutt told reporters here.

He, however, made it clear that he would not leave Lucknow.

"I am going to say one more thing is that I am not going to leave Lucknow. Lucknow is my home, whether I contest or not. This is land of my father and I owe a debt to Lucknow. I am not going anywhere. Any candidate who will come will be my candidate. Lucknow is my seat and will always remain so I will campaign for the party candidate," Dutt added.

Asked about chances of his wife Manyata contesting elections from Lucknow, Dutt said that the decision would be taken by the party supremo Mulayam and Amar Singh.

Dutt, who moved the Supreme Court on March 5, is the Samajwadi Party nominee from Lucknow seat.

On Monday, the apex court had reserved its order on Dutt's plea seeking a stay on his conviction under the Arms Act in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

On November 27, 2007, Dutt was granted bail by the apex court. He is out on merely on bail following his conviction in the blasts case. So his conviction stands.

On July 31, 2007, he was sentenced to a jail term of six years for illegal possession of firearms acquired from terrorist acquaintances, who were responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts.

He was, however, "cleared of terrorism conspiracy charges in the blasts". (ANI)