Dutt's Sentencing Is Delayed.

20 June 2007

Dutt's Sentencing Is Delayed....

Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt's sentencing on a terrorism conviction has been delayed following a legal challenge.The actor was found guilty of illegal possession of arms in relation to the 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai, but a challenge by others convicted in connection with the blasts means he won't learn his fate until Friday at the earliest.A special anti-terror court in India has already sentenced 76 of the 100 people found guilty in connection with the attacks, which were allegedly masterminded by Mumbai's Muslim-dominated underworld in revenge for deadly Hindu-Muslim religious clashes a few months earlier.However, yesterday (19Jun07) 15 people who have been found guilty of planting the bombs argued the anti-terror court did not have the right to decide sentencing.Lawyers for the group say the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities Act - under which the court was set up - was repealed years ago, and they plan to appeal to India's Supreme Court.Earlier this year (07), Dutt was cleared of the more serious charge of conspiracy in the attacks, which claimed 257 lives.