'He Is Not Munnabhai'

Majid Memon, senior criminal lawyer and defence counsel for some primeaccused in the case: He possessed and admitted to possessing AK-56, whichcan't even be lawfully possessed. Therefore, it was difficult for him to get outof the clutches of law. Any person, who has already spent some period in jail -that period is deducted - he can always knock the door of SC.

Ujjwal Nikam, public prosecutor: I don't feel vindicated at all. Wehave not seen the whole proceedings yet and we will have to wait for the courtto give its reasons as to why he was not found guilty under TADA for criminalconspiracy as well. Once I know that, I will be in a better position to comment.

Ram Jethmalani, senior criminal lawyer: Sanjay Dutt had been my clientin the very same case. I am happy with the outcome, he has escaped. I hope thesentence will not be very severe.

Amarjit Singh Samra, former Mumbai Police Commissioner: I am satisfiedthat no matter how high and mighty people may be, the law has prevailed. Thecourt gave ample opportunity to the prosecution to prove its side. Why shouldprosecution take a lenient view? This was the right legal stand taken. The factthat Sanjay Dutt had tried to destroy the weapon instead of going to the policeand aiding police to track down of the accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts was initself a crime. When we got the information that Sanjay was in possession of anAK-56 rifle, we presumed that he had terrorist links and the primary charge ofpossession of arms has been proved today. He is not Munnabhai, he has violatedthe law. 

Y P Singh, former IPS officer: Innocent Indians got carried away bythe PR exercise launched by Sanjay Dutt which portrayed him as a god-fearing manwho visits temples. Had a similar incident happened in connection with the 9/11terror attacks, people in the US would have boycotted the actor. Now that theTADA court has given its judgment, there could be political influences on theCBI. As far as the further course of action is concerned, less of it depends onthe judiciary and more on prosecuting agencies like the CBI. It is for the CBIto decide how far will it go to oppose the bail of Sanjay Dutt

Manohar Joshi, Shiv Sena: He had made a mistake of keeping a weapon(an AK-56 rifle) at his home.

Amar Singh, Samajwadi Party: I have known Sunil Dutt sahib andSanjay. He is not the kind of person who would conspire against the nation. I amglad the court has given him a clean chit on that count.

Shatrughan Singh, BJP: I have always supported Sanjay Dutt. I am happythat he has been acquitted of conspiracy charges.

Gopinath Munde, BJP: He had AK-56 because he had relations withcriminals. He obtained the guns from gangsters. Initially, there was no caseagainst him, but on my insistence, a case was registered against him. I hadraised this issue when I was the head of the opposition.

Abhishek Singhvi, Congress: Now, it is up to the judge to give a sentencehe thinks is befitting.

Nikhil Waghale, editor, Mahanagar: I don't think he will beable to get away so easily. I think, it is a fair judgement. He has been clearedof TADA charges, that is surely a relief for Sanjay.

Arshad Warsi, Co-actor: Thank God they did not say he is a terrorist.He is not a terrorist, not a criminal. He is a clear cut good man. Everybody inhis life makes stupid mistakes. It was good that he has got a milder punishment.I think he has suffered enough.

Karan Johar, film director: It is heartening to know that finally theverdict is out and he has not been convicted for any conspiracy.

Boman Irani, Co-actor: Sanjay has suffered a lot and the court'sverdict on TADA charges has come as a big relief to him.

Asha Bhosle, Singer: Today's verdict has shown that Lord Ganesha hasblessed Sanjay, his devotee. No artist is a terrorist. I am very delighted thathe has been absolved of the terrorism charge. For a child of such illustriousparents, life has brought a lot of misery in his way. He lost his wife due tocancer and later faced the humiliation of being dubbed as a terrorist. I feelsorry for him. One learns from mistakes in life. I am sure this experience wouldteach him a lot and he would be able to take charge of his life for the better.

Nandita Das, co-actress: It is very sad news. I worked with him and Iknow him to be a nice man. He has bounced back from a lot of lows in his lifeincluding (his father) Sunil Duttsaab passing away. I can only say that myprayers are with him. I know the media will have a field day with this news. Butlet us not be voyeuristic about this. He is going through a hard time. Justiceshould be done, irrespective of whether he is a big star or not. Let us nottarget him just because he is a star, nor should he be dealt with lenientlybecause of his celebrity status

with agency inputs