Supreme Court gives Sanjay Dutt four more weeks to surrender

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted Sanjay Dutt four more weeks to surrender and undergo his remaining prison term of 42 months in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

The apex court granted partial relief to the actor on "humanitarian" grounds, a day before the deadline for his surrender ended on April 18.

Sanjay Dutt had sought a six-month extension to allow him to complete shooting of seven films worth Rs 278 crore.

"Considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and reasons stated in the petition, we are not inclined to extend the time by six months. However, we extend the time by four weeks from tomorrow. It is made clear that no further extension will be granted," a bench comprising justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan said.

The court said that the actor will not be entitled to any further extension of time hereafter.

The bench also noted in its order that senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Dutt, has agreed to the same that no further extension will be sought.

The CBI opposed the extension of time but was silenced by the court which asked, why didn't the agency file an appeal against Dutt's acquittal from TADA charges by the trial court?

In its order on March 21, the apex court had upheld Dutt's conviction under the Arms Act for possessing illegal arms.

However, it had reduced his sentence from six to five years.

Sanjay Dutt has completed one-and-half years in jail and has to serve the remainder three-and-half years of his sentence.