FYI&B: Dasmunsi says he wasn't insulting judiciary

JUDGING THE JUDICIARY? Dasmunsi said Dutt had already undergone enough suffering during his 16 months in prison.

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New Delhi: There may yet be hope for Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt who has support coming his way from not just his contemporaries in the film industry, but also from the powers that be.

After coming to Sanjay Dutt's defence strongly on Tuesday, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister PR Dasmunsi on Wednesday reasserted that the actor was not a terrorist.

However, Dasmunsi also made a concentrated bid to justify his statement on Tuesday when he had said, 'all efforts should be made to enable the actor get relief from the highest judiciary'.

''As Minister in charge of matters relating to the film industry, I am concerned with the well being of those working there,'' Dasmunsi was quoted by news agencies as saying.

''Agar kisi ko Sanjay ke saath hamdardi nahin hai to usko apne dil ki jaanch karwani chahiye. (If one does not feel for Sanjay, then they should get their hearts examined),'' he was further quoted as saying.

The Minister said Sanjay had already undergone enough suffering during the 16 months of his imprisonment, his conduct was ideal. "Sanjay has shown great courage and patience, and an appeal for him will be made," he added.

Dasmunsi had on Tuesday expressed 'deep shock and surprise' over the conviction of Dutt in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, saying he has suffered for 'no intentional fault of his'.

The minister said Sanjay Dutt's "personal conduct and behaviour was an example for the young generation."

He said on Wednesday that his expression of sympathy for Dutt, and his questioning the quantum of punishment, was not tantamount to making any comment on the judiciary.

Dasmunsi had also said that though he believed in the judiciary, he felt that 'in a civil society time has come to gauge the parameters for an unintentional fault, for which Dutt had already suffered enough'.

Sanjay Dutt's contribution and mass appeal to society through the film industry has been significant, he had said, adding that 'all efforts should be made to approach and appeal at the highest forum of judiciary to secure relief to him'.

The actor has been sentenced to six-years' rigorous imprisonment under the Arms Act by the designated TADA court in Mumbai on Tuesday. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the actor, in lieu of which he will face an additional six-month imprisonment.

He was tried under the Arms Act for illegal possession of an AK-56 assault rifle and a pistol.

The Dutt family is closely linked to the Congress party as his father Sunil Dutt was a long-time party MP from North-West Mumbai, a seat now represented by Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya Dutt.