Sanjay Dutt case: centre seeks state views on relief

The Centre has asked Maharashtra government for its views and recommendations on remission of sentences awarded to actor Sanjay Dutt and three other accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, sources told HT.

The Centre has asked Maharashtra government for its views and recommendations on remission of sentences awarded to actor Sanjay Dutt and three other accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, sources told HT.

The move came after Press Council of India chief Justice Markandey Katju prayed to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking the relief for Sanjay Dutt and three other accused — Zaibunissa Kazi, Ishaq Hajwane, Shariff Abdul Gafoor Parker — on humanitarian grounds.

“We have sought views of Maharashtra government on basis of petition moved by Justice Katju before the President. The law doesn’t bar anybody for moving such a petition on behalf of anyone. The state government is yet to reply back to us. After getting recommendation from the state government, the matter may be put before the President, if required,” said a central government official who has dealt with the issue.

“We have not asked to remission of sentence. We are not aware of any such development,” said Owen Roncon, brother-in-law of Sanjay Dutt.