E-Paper
Sign In
Sanjay verdict: Sorrowful, but the law is the law
DUBAI - Acquaintances, fans and Indian expatriates in the UAE echoed almost a unanimous opinion on the court verdict pronounced on Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt yesterday -
- PUBLISHED: Wed 1 Aug 2007, 9:10 AM UPDATED: Tue 14 May 2024, 12:32 PM
Sentenced to six years in jail for illegal possession of arms.
The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court has sentenced the Indian cine superstar to six years of rigorous imprisonment for illegal possession of arms in connection with the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case.
Recommended For You
Celebrated Indian author and chairman of Dubai-based Afras Ventures, Dr Shashi Tharoor, told Khaleej Times that he was sad to see Dutt losing his freedom.
“I am a huge fan of Sanjay Dutt's work in (the film) Lage Raho Munnabhai, which ironically did so much for reinforcing Gandhian values in our country. I hope that he is released earlier on account of good behaviour in prison so that he doesn't actually have to lose six years of his career,” said the former under-secretary-general of the United Nations.
Tharoor noted it was important that no one feels above the law. However, he added, the six years imprisonment “seems rather harsh. But then I am not a judge.”
Rita K. Mehta, former editor and owner of well-known Indian magazine Cineblitz, who is based in Dubai, remarked “I would go with the law of the land. Despite some speculation in the media, it would be ridiculous to think he'd get away with flouting the law,” she maintained.
Mehta remembers having seen Sanjay grow up as they were family friends. “I have seen him grow up, albeit from a distance. This sentence is a clear message for celebrities that the law would catch up if you do something wrong. And I don't believe in making heroes out of people who break the law,” she commented.
For a few like Somalian Huda Al Daseer, a PR manager, an avid Hindi-film watcher and an ardent fan of Dutt, “Though I like him, there are very strong reasons for him to be sentenced,” she admitted.
British expatriate Steve Halligan, who works for a management consultancy company, opined that celebrities should not get any special concessions. “No one is exempted from the law.” he said emphatically.
