Sanjay Dutt’s two-pronged strategy

INDIA: Film actor Sanjay Dutt will file an appeal in the Supreme Court next week to challenge the judgement of the TADA court, which sentenced him to six years’ rigorous imprisonment in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case, his lawyer Satish Maneshinde said.

“Our appeal will have two separate applications - one urging the Supreme Court for bail and the other challenging the ruling,’’ Maneshinde said.

Sanjay’s lawyers will make submissions before the appellate court on the basis of the operative order obtained from the court sentencing the actor to jail for six years.

Maneshinde, who met the actor in jail said, ``Sanjay is fine and in high spirits. He is now awaiting relief from the Supreme Court.’’

Meanwhile Dutt is not receiving special treatment in a packed, high-security prison, officials said, after starting a six-year sentence this week over deadly bomb blasts in Mumbai.

Like other inmates in the Mumbai jail, the actor had no fan, pillow or bedsheet in his cell and was living on a basic diet that included pulses and rice, authorities said.

Bollywood’s original “bad boy,” known for his tough guy roles, started his term like most other inmates at Arthur Road which was built to house 800 inmates but is now believed to hold nearly 3,000.

“There’s no special treatment, his day started today like that of any other inmate,” the jail official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

However, a source at the jail said Dutt had been allowed to take a luxury toiletries kit and some American brand cigarettes with him.

His routine involves being woken at 5:00 am for prayers, followed by counting of the inmates by the guards, the official said.

A breakfast of sweetened tea, biscuits and bread is followed by an early lunch which can include rotis, aubergine, pulses and rice, the official said.

Dutt, now clad in prison clothes, has been housed in barrack No 1 along with Yusuf Nulwalla, a long-time friend who destroyed weapons on Dutt’s instructions in 1993. He shared his bathroom with eight other prisoners.

New Delhi, Thursday, Hindustan Times, AFP