NDTV

Mumbai, Nov 28: In a huge blow, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has been pronounced guilty in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

The main charges against Dutt are receiving some of the weapons used in the blasts from underworld don Abu Salem and keeping them at his residence.

Dutt had actually admitted to the charges in his confession, which he made shortly after his arrest, but he later retracted the same.

Dutt's confession

In his confession recorded on April 22,1993, Dutt said that Salem had visited his Pali Hill residence in January 1993.

The actor maintained that Salem was brought to his home by Samir Hingora and Hanif Kadawala - proprietors of Magnum Video, who are close associates of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Salem, according to Dutt, had brought three AK 56 rifles, some magazines and 250 rounds. But Dutt said he kept only one and returned two AK 56s back to Samir and Hanif.

Dutt said he needed the weapons to protect his family as they had received threatening calls during the 1992 Mumbai riots.

Despite repeated complaints, he said the police did not give the family any protection. But when he heard about the blasts and the arrest of Samir and Hanif, he asked his friend Yusuf Nulwala to destroy the gun.

Charges: Dutt & Company

Accused Charges

• Sanjay Dutt Received weapons from Abu Salem from consignment of arms used in Mumbai blasts
• Samir Hingora Took Abu Salem to Dutt's residence
• Ibrahim Moosa Accompanied Abu Salem, Samir Hingora to deliver arms at Dutt's residence
• Manzoor Ahmed Convicted of carrying arms out of Dutt's residence
• Zebunissa Kept at home weapons earlier hidden in Dutt's residence
• Yusuf Nulwala Destroyed an AK 56 rifle on Dutt's instructions
• Kersi Adajania Helped Nulwala destroy the AK 56 rifle in his foundry
• Rusi Mulla Kept Dutt's pistol at his residence. Later gave it to Marwah
• Ajay Marwah Acquitted of storing Dutt's pistol at home