Pardon: Now Pranab Mukherjee to decide Sanjay Dutt's fate?

Mumbai, March 26: Keeping his words intact Press Council of India (PCI) chairman Justice (retd) Markandey Katju on Thursday, March 28 sent a written appeal to President Pranab Mukherjee.

Katju in his appeal sought pardon for Sanjay Dutt, who co-incidentally, is ready to surrender before Bombay court following Supreme Court's verdict.

Katju, who earlier had sent a letter to Maharashtra Governor seeking pardon for the Bollywood actor in connection with Bombay Blasts 1993 case, refused to pay heed to Sanjay Dutt's recent statement.

The actor, during a press conference at his residence in Mumbai on Thursday, announced that he would not beg pardon, rather he would follow the apex court's order. The Supreme Court on March 21 had asked him to surrender him within four weeks as he has been convicted in illegal Arms Possession Act.

Snubbing Sanjay's statement, Katju asserted, "That makes no difference to me...I will appeal for him because he is not a terrorist and he has been in jail for 18 months. He has suffered a lot and in a way he has faced is punishment."

Katju pointed out that Article 161 of the constitution grants Governors and the President the authority to pardon or reduce a sentence.

Clarifying his stand over demanding pardon for Sanjay, Katju said, "public good is one of them, there can be many other considerations like humanitarian considerations for grant of pardon."

OneIndia News