RSS slams the hue and cry,Jethmalani takes on Katju

Terming the hue and cry over Sanjay Dutts conviction for his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts as shameless,the RSS Saturday said the actor actually got away with a light punishment.

On the one hand there are family members of the victims who are looking for lines in the verdict that would cool their anger which has been simmering for the last two decades. On the other hand are those who are crying for the star,that he has two small kids and hundreds of crores are at stake in Bollywood, an editorial in RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya,which hit the stands Saturday,said.

I am not an advocate but I can tell how much justice is there in this verdict. But Sanju,it is clearly visible that you got away lightly, it read.

Story continues below this ad

Senior BJP leader echoed the sentiment and rapped PCI chairman Markandey Katju for seeking pardon for the actor. Jethmalani,a senior lawyer,said Dutt has been convicted under the Arms Act and the Governors power of pardon does not extend to this law. His ex-Lordships letter to the Governor of Maharashtra is thus wholly misconceived and his loyal band of followers must seek other avenues,if they exist at all,to secure a reprieve for Dutt. Katju would be well advised to not let his heart rule his head even if he considers its pulls to be justified, Jethmalani said.

Social activist Anna Hazare too disapproved of the demand to pardon Dutt. The judiciary has given its verdict. It is not proper to interfere with the court judgement, he said.