Sunjay Dutt - Biography Part 1/2

Nick Name:  Sanju Baba
Date of Birth (Birthday):  29 July, 1959
Zodiac Sign:  Leo
Height:  6′ 1
Eye Color:  Black
Hair Color:  Black
Birth Place:  India
Religion:  Hindu
Marital Status:  Married
Contact Address:  58 Smt. Nargis Dutt Road, Palli Hill, Bandra, Mumbai 400 050

Family Background

Father’s Name:  Sunil Dutt
Mother’s Name:  Nargis Dutt
Sister(s):  Priya Dutt, Namrata Guarav
Spouse:  Rhea Dutt
Ex-Spouse:  Richa Dutt
Daughter:  Trishala Dutt

On 13 February 2007, the special branch of Mumbai police arrested Abdul Qayyum Abdul Karim Shaikh, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim and wanted by Mumbai Police Special Task Force for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts from Mumbai. Qayuum had been named by Sanjay Dutt in his confessional statement. Sanjay had said that he met Qayuum in Dubai in September 1992 and bought a pistol from him. According to CBI, the pistol was sold to Sanjay at the instance of Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim.

On 31 July 2007, Dutt was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment for illegally possessing weapons. At the same time, Dutt was also "cleared of terrorism conspiracy charges in the blasts" related to the 1993 bombings. According to The Guardian, "The actor claimed he feared for his life after the notorious "Black Friday" bombings, which were allegedly staged by Mumbai's Muslim-dominated mafia in retaliation for deadly Hindu-Muslim clashes a few months earlier. But the judge, Pramod Kode, rejected this defence and also refused bail." Dutt was immediately taken into custody and sent to Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail. As the sentence was pronounced, Dutt was "visibly shocked and was seen shivering and holding back tears".

On 2 August 2007, Sanjay Dutt was moved from Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to the Yeravada Jail in Pune. On 7 August 2007, Dutt appealed the sentence. Later, on 20 August 2007, the Supreme Court of India granted Dutt interim bail. He was released after Yeravada Jail authorities received a copy of the court's bail order. The bail was valid until the time the special TADA court, which sentenced Dutt on 31 July, provides a copy of its judgment to him. Dutt was released from jail on 23 August. On 22 October 2007 Dutt was back in jail but again applied for bail. On 27 November 2007, Dutt was granted bail by the Supreme Court. He currently has an appeal for an acquittal pending. In January 2009, Dutt announced that he would contest the 2009 Lok Sabha elections on the Samajwadi Party ticket. However, he withdrew his candidacy in March 2009 after the Supreme Court refused to suspend his conviction.