With Press Council of India (PCI) chief Markandey Katju urging the Maharashtra Governor to pardon film star Sanjay Dutt, who has been convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, the Government on Friday indicated that the matter will be looked into and an “appropriate” decision taken once a plea is made by the actor.
“Governor will use his discretionary power when there is an appeal to him. He has the power to pardon. We should not comment on it,” Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said the authorities will take cognisance of the matter at the appropriate level.
“Justice Katju has been a very eminent judge of the Supreme Court. Whenever he articulates a position on an issue, people both inside and outside the government listen to it carefully,” Mr. Tewari told reporters outside Parliament.
“But there are various aspects to the issue and I am sure that those people within government whether at the state government or level of various other instrumentalities of government, who are seized with the responsibility of dealing with the issue, take the cognizance of the statement and then, if required, formulate an appropriate response and then come back.” Mr. Tewari added.
In a letter to Maharashtra Governor K. Sankarnarayanan, Justice Katju sought pardon for Mr. Dutt, whose five-year sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in an arms case related to the 1993 Bombay blasts.
However the PCI chief’s suggestion did not appear to go down well with the BJP and its ally Shiv Aena.
Taking a dig at Mr. Katju, BJP MP Balbir Punj said, “Katju has forgotten that he is no longer the judge of the Supreme Court. He is PCI chairman. Supreme Court has decided as per the law. Supreme Court decision should be honoured otherwise it will be misunderstood that there are two laws — one for poor and another for famous people.”
Shiv Sena MP Anil Desai said, “He (Dutt) himself has said that he will abide by the court decision.”
Asked about his party’s stand on the issue, he said, “Shiv Sena wants to know what about the victims who lost their lives 20 years ago. The court has given the verdict and he should abide by that.”
A person does not keep a variety of automatic weapons in his house merely for self defence. Dutt should not be pardoned else it will only go on to prove that the law is only for the poor man.
Mr Sanjay Dutt is entitled to appeal for pardon.The governor would have
given his decision.The matter is as simple as like this.The issue
should have been left at that level.It is not clear as to why a highly
controversial and biased person like Katju should plead for Sanjay.What
is the necessity for Congressman to praise Katju and to politicise the
issue.Many well wishers of Sanjay are unhappy that Katju and others are
doing great disservice to Sanjay
This shows our lack of fair mind and favouritism. We do this in every
walk of life, have different yardstick for your near and dear ones.If
a common man has done such crime, he would have been got a different
treatment. Anyway why crimes are increasing at alarming rate in our
country - thanks to such attitude from all quarters. When even
possessing an illegal pistol is a crime in our country, how we close
our eyes when crimes done by famous, celebrty people. Democracy,
people's welfare is a mockery; how can the country forget the victims
sufferings.
The unnecessary solidarity shown for Sanjay Dutt is extremely
unfortunate, especially by his Bollywood friends and some politicians.
If he is pardoned in due course, it will set some wrong precedent of
discriminatory law favoring famous and rich and punishing only common
and poor. Although there is no evidence of his direct involvement in
Mumbai blasts (as Justice Katju states), it is unpalatable to believe
his innocence who carries high end weapon like AK56 in house. His
connections with gangsters/terrorists like Abu Salem and Chota Shakeel
have been reported already. In the background of all this, it is a
right time to set an example of rationality and rule of law, that
whatever gandhigiri you depict on screen, if you directly or
indirectly promote violence in real life, you have no place in civil
society and will have to face the tune.
One shouldn't be surprised if Sanjay is pardoned and all records expunged.After that he would be recommended for Padma Bhushan which his father missed.So rightfully the son should be honored.
Is Sanjay Dutt above law ? Will the governer pardon if a close member of governer's family / children had died in 1993 blasts. Come on we are a democracy . We are not being ruled by a king who can dish out favours on his whims and fancies. Sanjay being a popular artist does not exonerate him of his crime. He should serve the sentence which anyway is very light. All governer's are dummy doing exactly as intructed by an invisible voice . It will be murder of justice if Sanjy goes free.
An AK-56 assault weapon was recovered from this chap and the same weapon was brought
inside the country along with the consignment of other explosives used for Bombay blasts.
There are audio tapes of his conversation with the masterminds of the blasts. These were
enough direct and circumstantial evidences on record to convict this chap under TADA, but it
wasn't happened. It is uncomprendeble that how this chap has got away with very lenient
punishment under the possession of illegal firearm.
Court has completely lost the sight that the illegal firearm recovered from him was brought
inside the country along with the consignment of other explosives used for Bombay blasts.
Where as if an ordinary person up and down the country convicted under matrimonial related
offences such as dowry death they are being handed down with life imprisonment. Is this
fare system of punishment and justice???
To me Mr Dutt is not punished rather he is being rewarded for the offence he committed.
Are we going to show this leniency to everyone or only to some famous people?
The concern Governor can with valid circumstances and reasons.But questions arises why the the government and all the political parties,Including the civil societies are advocating for him.Law should be equal for all.Everyone saying that he had already suffered his term in his 20 years of life including the 18th months jail term since 1993,so he should be excuse.Than what about the other criminals who were facing decade to decade without their proper trial.Justice should be equal for all.Three should not be any discrimination In true democratic country like India between poor,rich,artist or among intellectuals . Clearly a negative message will go out to the Indian society where there in already lots of question marks on Indian judiciary system.
Governor's discretionary power to pardon rich and famous will set a bad
precedent that even if a person is convicted by Supreme Court, he/she can
escape punishment. It took 20 years for justice and everything will go in
drain if political motives and sympathy for public personalities help
Sanjay Duttt escape prison. It will destroy an already slim hope, if any,
of delayed justice in India.
In a country where film actors are revered as gods, criminal offenses by
them should be dealt swiftly to remind general public - No one is above
law, and a remainder to film actors to behave responsibly.
Whatever reasons Justice Katju has given, are extremely silly and are not at all convincing. Katju says Dutt is not a terrorist, and he was just holding weapons. Also he says Dutt's crime was 20 years ago. Sanjay Dutt has clearly broken the law and got the minimum punishment possible under the law, for his act. There are many other cases where justice gets delayed for decades in India. Being a judge of Supreme court, Katju should actually take blame for not doing anything to rectify this during his tenure. Also Dutt having kids and a family is a hilarious reason for acquitting him, as almost everyone sitting in a jail has some family outside. Being a celebrity does not mean a person can do whatever he wishes and get away with law. Katju has no business recommending a criminal who is clearly involved with mafia and anti national elements.
Bangaru Laxman and a former Chief minister of a Northern State were convicted for bribery which is small crime when compared to Sanjay DutT's crime. Even an ordinary individual would know that it was illegal to possess a firearm and that too an AK 47 Riffle. Then how can Sanjay an educated man to hide the fact from the Police This is the second time that the Centre is breaking the rule of law
Hence proved that law book has got zero power with respect to Money,
fame, and power.
Is he a mahathma? or War hero? He is an Actor and womaniser. Send
him to jail. Dont misuse court.
A wrong massage is being given to the Governor whom is agent of Government of India. If law minister is telling like this a wrong massage will go to the people,because so many people are suffering but no one is come out for them.The Apex Court has already consider all the aspect so now any intervention in punishment will throw the massage between India and Bharat.
Minister Ashwani Kumar's statement leads one to believe that
he is giving hint to the accused "you act in this way; result
will be in your favour" Really sad in parliamentary democracy
that an elected representative of the people is suggesting how
to overcome obstacles in law - being a Law Minister
I cant understand why these people are supporting an accused who did
business with terrorists.Is law different for a common man and a
celebrity
What is this nonsense? Simply he is film actor do they want to privilege? Next in line will be Sharo Khan if convicted This Markandya Katju is unnecessarily using his position to misuse it
It is quite clear that there is a concerted effort by media, political leaders and even
judges to get Dutt a pardon. Would the driver of car containing the cache of arms be
pardoned too? Was he a lesser or greater criminal than Sanjay Dutt?
Pardons are dangerous.Let him serve the few years. Lost were also worthy lives.And don't forget 1993 terror.
With all due respect I (and many Indians who may not as stupid as Katju thinks)
would like to know, what is the basis for Katju's urge to pardon Dutt ! Because he is a
celebrity, or because Bollywood might loose huge amount in investments on him ? I
loved watching Dutt's movies, will watch in future too but that doesn't mean that I
treat him any different from, a common criminal, he should serve his time in Jail
before presenting himself to the society. Law should be served equally for every one,
no matter what is his social status is ! Pardoning him will send out a very strong
message of discrimination of law based on social status. Hope Maharashtra Governor
is smart enough to take this in to account and would not give-in due to the pressure
from Bollywood, and star-politicians like Jaya Bachhan, who seems to know only
about Dutt's sorrows but not that of those suffered due to what happened in 1993.
Du you also think this way about all other criminals ? Should they get Pardoned ?
It will not be fare to the families of victims if he is pardoned.
Why is everyone jumping to the rescue of Sanjay Dutt? One must appreciate the resoluteness of the Supreme Court when they punished him for a clear case of an offense in spite of any goodwill he may have in the society. Instead of meddling in such matters, it is best that the law takes its course. Mr. Dutt must be allowed to repent for the mistake he committed by undergoing the punishment. Otherwise, by the same token, all criminal activities of film stars (so many are pending in the courts) would be pardoned off.
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