Jail or freedom for Sanjay Dutt? Take a bet

PUNTERS' DELIGHT: Actor Sanjay Dutt has appealed for parole before the special court hearing the blasts case.

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Keywords: Judge PD Kode, TADA

Mumbai: Actor Sanjay Dutt may get freedom or jail from a court for his role in the 1993 serials blasts in Mumbai. Dutt’s future is at stake, and lakhs of money belonging to Mumbai’s bookies.

TADA court judge P D Kode has found Dutt guilty of illegal arms possession but absolved him of the more serious charge of supporting terrorists. Dutt, who faces up to 10 years in prison, has appealed for parole and is awaiting a verdict.

But in dark backrooms of Mumbai's narrow lanes bookies have already passed their verdict. Bookies have diversified their portfolio to taking bets on which way the punishments in the 1993 blasts case will swing, and Dutt is their current favourite.

Till about two weeks ago the odds were in favour of Dutt’s release but the tough punishments given by the court the equation has now been reversed. "The odds are against Dutt," says bookie Munna Malad.

This means when the TADA court started announcing punishments every Rs 100 placed on Dutt's release would result in a return of Rs 160. But now every Rs 100 placed on Dutt’s release would fetch a return of Rs 400 rupees, meaning bookies feel he won’t walk free.

The odds keep changing with each new sentence Kode announces. "Abhi jo kagaz mein aata hai aur judgment aata hai us hisab toh lagta hai ki woh jail jayega," says bookie Munna. (From what I make out of the judgments I think Dutt will be jailed.)

But Dutt isn’t big in the betting business. The cricket series between India and England is where the money is and for most gamblers Dutt's fate is entertainment.

As Munna says: "Hamare liye to time pass hai. Koi aadmi gir jaata hai toh bhi hum bet lagatey hai Ye sab fancy hai hamarey liye. " (We bet on Dutt to kill time. When a man falls down we bet whether he will get injured. Betting on Dutt is like that.)