Dutt apologises to TADA court

Film actor Sanjay Dutt tendered a written apology to a designated TADA court in Bombay after he was pulled up for absenting himself from proceedings during arguments tendered by the CBI on his alleged involvement in the 1993 bomb blast case.

He is charged with accepting three AK-56 rifles and other weapons from co-accused at his residence in the Bombay suburb of Bandra, before the attacks shattered the metropolis on March 12, 1993.

Dutt appeared in person before designated judge P D Kode on October 19 and sought pardon for his absence from October 8 to October 11, when public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam had advanced submissions on his alleged role in the conspiracy leading to the blasts.

Accepting his apology, the court warned him against absenting himself from the proceedings and directed the actor to report periodically to the court.

Dutt was in Los Angeles for shooting of the film Kaante and had, hence, sought exemption from the court from August 23 to October 15.

The court, however, had directed his lawyer Farhana Shah to ensure that Dutt remained present for three days from October 8 onwards when CBI was expected to argue on his alleged role.

Dutt informed the court that he was unable to return to India because of the unavailability of air tickets. Dutt said that, following the terrorist attacks on September 11, their movements were restricted and shooting had to be abandoned for few days.

The actor said he would henceforth abide by the directives of the court and would not misuse his bail conditions.

PTI