Three weeks into the sentencing of convicts in the 1993 serial blasts case, the suspense over the fate of actor Sanjay Dutt, found guilty for illegal possession of arms, will not be over for at least another week.
Dutt has sought relief from punishment under the Probation of Offender Act.
After sentencing 73 of the total 100 convicts, the TADA court will be taking a week's break and resume awarding punishments on June 14.
Dutt, convicted under the Arms Act, and eight others currently on bail, have been summoned on June 14 but judge Pramod Kode did not say whether he would pronounce their sentences on that day.
The judge today opened a sealed report received from a probation officer on the pleas filed by Dutt for relief under the Probation of Offender Act. He, however, did not disclose whose report it was.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam later said outside the court that the envelope might contain the report on Dutt's plea.
According to Nikam, those held guilty under the TADA and Customs Act cannot seek relief under the POA. Dutt has been acquitted under the anti-terror law and hence is eligible for relief under POA, which allows suspension of sentence.
The 27 convicts, whose sentences are yet to be announced, include bomb planters, four members of Memon family, Dutt and three of his friends who helped him destroy an AK-56 rifle and some others held guility under the Customs Act.
The Memon family members and planters were convicted under TADA and so they cannot get relief under POA. Also, Customs Act bars plea under POA. That leaves out only the actor and a few other convicts eligible for relief.
The judge has, however, made it clear that the probation officer's report was not binding on the court.
