Click to play videoNew Delhi: As actor Sanjay Dutt readies to file a bail plea in the Supreme Court on Monday against the adverse verdict handed out to him TADA court, his colleagues from the film industry could be in for trouble for drumming up support for him.
Many in Bollywood have openly criticised the 1993 Mumbai blasts verdict, saying the six-year sentence meted out to Dutt is way too harsh. A section of Dutt's colleagues and friends are also planning to start a signature campaign to garner support for the actor.
However, the prosecution is in no mood to accept these voices of dissent.
Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has minced no words in threatening legal action against those who start the campaign. “If someone starts such a campaign criticising the order of the court (before the prisoner seeks relief), it certainly amounts to contempt of court. I am watching the events carefully and if this continues, I will be forced to take legal action,” Nikam said.
Dutt’s sister, MP Priya Dutt has urged the actor’s Bollywood friends to refrain from the support campaign. She says she wants to take “the legal route” to save her brother.
Over Rs 100 crore are riding on Dutt's forthcoming Bollywood projects, all of which have been jeopardised due to the sentencing.
Web of support
Support for 'Munnabhai' has also gathered steam on the Internet with the actor’s tech-savvy waging a relentless campaign to extend his probation.
Fan website www.boletoh.com Dutt's sentence.
"I support Sanjay Dutt not because I’m a fan. I'm not a fan of his, but because he has been jailed for 16 months and then given bail, he has behaved well for 10 years he has behaved well, then why this whole thing again? It doesn't make sense,” says Dutt’s supporter Mridula Sarachandra.
Not just the online petitions, fans are also using SMSs to gather support for Dutt. However, the move has angered those who believe the sentences were much deserved"
The actor’s conviction has given birth to yet another public trial of a judicial case. And though Dutt's supporters feel they have the right to voice their concern, experts are clear that this is a case of subversion of judiciary for government advocates.
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