New Delhi: As the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld actor Sanjay Dutt's conviction in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and sentenced him to five years in jail, we look at the series of events that took place which led to this judgement.
January 1993- Producers Hanif Kadewalla and Samir Hingora, associates of Anees Ibrahim, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, deliver AK-56 rifle and pistol to actor Sanjay Dutt's residence in Bandra, Mumbai. The actor apparently took the weapons for self defence.
March 12 1993- A series of 13 bomb blasts rocks Mumbai, in the aftermath of the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots and kill 257 people and injure 713. Sanjay was at that time in Mauritius shooting for a film called 'Aatish'.
April 19 1993- Dutt gets arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) on charges of possessing illegal arms and having contacts with main conspirators of Mumbai blast.
April 28, 1993- In a recorded confession to the police Sanjay said his concern for his family in the face of threats during the communal riots of 1992-93 had prompted him to acquire the weapons.
May 5, 1993- Dutt granted bail after the actor's lawyers moved the High Court that Sanjay was wrongly held under TADA.
November 1993- Primary charge sheet filed against the 189 accused in the blasts case, including Sanjay Dutt.
July 4, 1994- Sanjay's bail is cancelled and he is taken to Arthur Road prison after the Police investigating the case find substantial evidence against the actor related to the 1993 blasts case.
October 17, 1995- After a total of sixteen months imprisonment on remand, Dutt is granted bail after the Supreme Court states that the actor's confession is not enough evidence to keep him in detention.
November 28, 2006- TADA court in Mumbai acquits Dutt of charges of conspiracy in the 1993 serial blasts framed under TADA Act but convicts him of the lesser crime of possessing arms that carries a maximum prison term of three years.
July 31, 2007- Dutt sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment after the actor's plea to get probation on the basis of his good conduct gets rejected. He is sent to Yerawada Central Jail, Pune.
August 2007-Dutt moves to Supreme Court challenging his conviction; seeks for a bail.
November 27, 2007- The Supreme Court grants Sanjay regular bail.
August 2012 - The Supreme Court begins its final hearing on Dutt's appeal against his conviction in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.
March 21, 2013- Dutt's conviction is upheld, and six year jail term is reduced to 5. Having spent 18 months in jail already, Dutt will now have to serve the remaining 3.5 years in jail.
March 28, 2013- Sanjay Dutt addresses the press for the first time since the verdict. An emotional Dutt breaks down and says "I have the highest respect for the Court. I will surrender. I respect the decision. With folded hands I want to say that I am not a terrorist. I am a shattered man. I love my country, I love the citizen of this country. I love India."
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