Sanjay isn't seeking Pardon! Will Katju shut his mouth now?

Mumbai, March 28: As actor Sanjay Dutt is not seeking for pardon, now it is high time that all his sympathisers, including Press Council of India chairperson Justice Markandey Katju should shut their mouths.

The 53-year-old actor on Thursday, March 28 addressed a press meet where he categorically said that he will surrender on stipulated time and isn't seeking for pardon.

"With folded hands want to tell the media, the honourable citizens of my country that when I am not going for a pardon there is no debate about it," told Dutt, with tears in his eyes.

But is the likes of Katju listening? Probably not. In fact, "motormouth" Katju made a statement immediately after Dutt's conference.

Katju has said he would continue to appeal for a pardon for Dutt despite the actor's decision to surrender. Katju written to the Maharashtra Governor, pointing out that Article 161 of the constitution grants Governors and the President the authority to pardon or reduce a sentence.

Even expelled Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Lok Sabha MP from Rampur Jaya Prada met Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan on Tuesday, March 26, to seek pardon for the actor.

Why so much of clamour to forgive Dutt, whom the Supreme Court has found guilty?

The Supreme Court on Thursday, March 21 upheld actor Dutt's conviction under the Arms Act, but reduced his sentence from six to five years in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. Since the actor has already served 18 months of jail, now he has to spend another three-and-half-year in prison.

Dutt has to surrender within four week's of apex court judgement.

Clamour to pardon the actor is growing louder with each passing day. Several film actors and politicians have joined hands asking to "pardon" Dutt.

Earlier, several celebrities including actor-turned-politicians Jaya Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha had sought pardon for Dutt.

"He (Dutt) has already been punished enough. Twenty years is almost like life imprisonment. I mean he suffered for twenty years and I think to do this to him at this time... I am going to personally meet the Governor," Bachchan had told reporters outside Parliament House recently.

However, voices against showing any leniency to the convicted criminal are also growing. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi and Janata Party supremo Subramanian Swamy are against pardoning Dutt in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

OneIndia News