SC allows Sanjay Dutt to shoot in South Africa

SHOOT OUT: The court had granted a regular bail to the actor on November 27.

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New Delhi: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, granted bail in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, was on Friday allowed by the Supreme Court to visit South Africa for film shootings by giving him time till November 20 for depositing his passport with the police.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, which had earlier ordered the release of passport till September 30, said it was extending its order.

A fresh application on behalf of Dutt was mentioned by senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who said the actor has complied with the April 10 order that may be extended so that he could go abroad for professional work.

While granting regular bail to the actor on November 27 last year, the court had directed him to surrender his passport and asked him not to leave the country without its permission.

Dutt was convicted under the Arms Act for possessing illegal weapons in connection with 1993 Mumbai blasts case. He was, however, absolved of the serious offence under the TADA.

The CBI had not opposed his bail maintaining that he was entitled for the relief since he was guilty of a less serious offence.

The Bollywood star, who was sentenced in July last year, had spent 18 months in jail.