Journalism of Courage
In what may come as major relief for Sanjay Dutt the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought the opinion of the Maharashtra government on reducing the sentence of the actor and two other convicts in the 1993 serial blasts case.
The move came after Press Council of India chief Justice (retd) Markandey Katju petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee seeking relief for the three convicts,including a 70-year-old woman,on humanitarian grounds.
According to MHA officials,the opinion of the Maharashtra government was sought after the President forwarded the applications of Katju and a few others seeking reduction of their sentences. We have asked the state government to provide its opinion,the jailors comment on the actors conduct and a few others issues, said an official.
Sanjay Dutt,who was lodged in Punes Yerawada Central Jail to serve his remaining sentence of 42 months is currently at home on furlough. Good conduct is one of the criteria for granting furlough.
