Sanjay Dutt to surrender tomorrow

OUT ON BAIL: Sanjay Dutt has been granted bail extension thrice so far after being found guilty under the Arms Act.

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New Delhi: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt – convicted under the Arms Act on November 28, 2006 in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case – is likely to surrender before the Special TADA court in Mumbai on Tuesday at the end of the bail extension granted to him by the court earlier on January 15.

This was Dutt's third extension after being found guilty under the Arms Act on 28 November, 2006, in the 1993 serial blasts case.

The defence and prosecution in the case would also begin arguments on Tuesday on Dutt’s plea for his release on probation. The Bollywood star had filed an application under the Probation of Offenders Act 1958 on January 15, pleading the court to release him on probation.

Along with his petition, Dutt had submitted affidavits from four eminent citizens – including actor Dilip Kumar, former sheriff Nana Chaudasma, child activist Vipula Kadri and anti-drugs activist Dr Yusuf Merchant – to strengthen his claim of good conduct. All of them had vouched for his good behaviour and commitment towards social welfare.

Dutt's counsel VR Manohar said that the court should exercise its discretionary power after examining the circumstances in which the offence was committed, the nature of the offence and the character of the offender. "Under Section 4, an offender is entitled to 'request' the court to release him on probation," he argued.

Section 4 of the Act states that an accused not facing life imprisonment or death sentence, can be released after considering the conduct. On its part, the prosecution argued that Dutt's case could not be considered under Probation of Offenders Act as he was in 'conscious possession' of three AK-47s and a pistol, and was aware of the likely consequences of his action.

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