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The court pronounced Dutt guilty -- under sections 3 and 7 of the Arms Act -- of illegal arms possession, but not guilty -- under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) -- of aiding and abetting the conspirators.

Dutt’s conviction under the Arms Act carries a sentence of five to 10 years. He has already served 18 months in prison.

hearing the verdict, Dutt was visibly relaxed with tears rolling down his cheeks.It probably did not matter to Dutt nor his family members much that he was booked for possessing weapons under the Arms Act. Bollywood was celebrating and no star shied from saying to the media that he was indeed 'innocent'.

His sister Priya Dutt said that justice delayed did not mean it was denied. After all the fanfare and celebrations died down, a reality check came in - Dutt was going to get a conviction after all. Then came another news flash - His lawyer had filed a plea in the court to show leniency towards him.

Even Dutt went pleaded openly to the judge – of course in full glare of the media - to show leniency and pardon him as he is the sole breadwinner of his family which included his 16-yr-old daughter.

Bollywood went a step further - taking out a signature campaign asking the court to pardon Dutt. The court, however, warned the film fraternity to stop the campaign, saying it could distort the judgement and verdict - which is against judicial ethics. News channels too kept broadcasting interviews taken with Dutt earlier, where he looked fraught after the trials and travails that he suffered during his 18-month jail term earlier.

The court appears to have considered his pleas as it has extended his bail to January 18, 2007 – the time period when he has been allowed to spend time with his family and make arrangements for his daughter’s career and secure her future.