Joining the bandwagon of politicians and filmstars seeking pardon for actor Sanjay Dutt convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case by the Supreme Court, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said he had ‘already suffered a lot for the blunder’.
"I have received many requests from civil society and film personalities to see that Sanjay does not suffer more," the chief minister said in a Facebook post.
"Though it is not in my hand, I feel that he has already suffered a lot for the blunder he committed earlier. From complete wreck, he has again picked up his career to unfold his potential," she said.
Recalling her association with Sanjay's actor-turned-politician father Sunil Dutt, she said they fought together strongly against TADA for its misuse potential. "I fondly remember Sunil Duttji. He used to come to my residence whenever he was in Kolkata. If he were alive, he would have no doubt made all efforts to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more.
"My heart also echoes his sentiments. Let us all pray for Sanjay living a peaceful life," Banerjee said. The 53-year-old actor will have to spend three-and-a-half years in jail after the apex court reduced to five years the six year jail term awarded to him by a designated TADA court in 2006. Dutt has already spent 18 months in jail.
