Mamata stands by Sanjay Dutt

Recalling her association with Sanjay’s actor-turned-politician father Sunil Dutt, she said they fought together strongly against TADA for its misuse potential.File photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

Stopping short of appealing for his clemency, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday stood by actor Sanjay Dutt.

Mr. Dutt was recently sentenced to a five-year prison term by the Supreme Court for possessing an AK-56 assault rifle two decades ago.

“Though it is not in my hand, I feel that he has already suffered a lot for the blunder he committed earlier,” she wrote in her Facebook page, pointing out that she has received several requests from the civil society and film personalities “to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more.”

“From a complete wreck, he has again picked up his career to unfold his potential,” Ms. Banerjee observed.