Bollywood star jailed over gun charge
Sanjay Dutt was jailed for six years
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Tuesday, 31, Jul 2007 12:57
One of Bollywood's leading stars has been jailed for buying weapons from people convicted of being behind the 1993 Mumbai bombings.
Sanjay Dutt, 48, was today jailed for six years by an Indian judge who rejected calls for the actor to be spared jail for good behaviour.
Dutt, the star of Indian films such as Vaastav (1999), Mission Kashmir (2000) and Parineeta (2005), is one of more than 100 people convicted following investigations into the bombings, which killed 257 people.
He was found guilty of possessing firearms illegally, although he was cleared of conspiracy charges against him
Appeals by Dutt's representatives to Judge PD Kode for leniency were dismissed and the actor, known for his portrayals of gangsters and villains in many of his films, was reported to have burst into tears on hearing the sentence.
Dutt has already spent 18 months in jail after he was first arrested in 1993 and has been on bail since 1995.
Three others were also sentenced for the same crimes today and the latest proceedings wrap up the protracted legal response to the March 12th bombings. Twelve of those found guilty of involvement in the blasts have been sentenced to death.
Dutt has twice-won gongs at the prestigious Filmfare Awards; in 2000 for Vaastav: The Reality and four years later for best comedian in Munnabhai M.B.B.S.