Don’t Lose Faith, Judge Tells Sanjay

Mumbai, Aug 01: Rejecting actor Sanjay Dutt’s emotional plea on Tuesday for time to surrender after he was given a six-year jail term in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, Judge P D Kode told the Bollywood star not to lose faith in himself as he was “Number One” in films.

Sanjay Dutt: Sir, please tell the policemen not to surround me and treat me as a convict.

Judge Pramod Kode: Door ubhe raha (stand away from him).

Sanjay: Sir, I want to request something. I know it is much, but please can you grant me time to surrender? I will return day after tomorrow. I have some family mater to settle and my sister is also pregnant.

Judge Kode: There is no provision under the law to grant you relief.

Sanjay: Can I at least make a call to my daughter?

Judge Kode: OK, allowed.

Sanjay: Sir, in the last 14 years you’ve known me better than my own family. Please give me relief.

Judge: doing my job. Once the sentence is pronounced, there can be more concessions. Do you want me to commit an illegality?

Sanjay: Sir, I am just requesting. It’s your discretion.

Judge Kode: I have been giving you concessions for the last 10 years, but not now.

Sanjay: Sir, please keep me and Yusuf (Nalawala, Sanjay’s friend who was also sentenced) in one jail.

Judge Kode: Both to be kept at Arthur Road till their application for not shifting them outside Mumbai is decided. Jail officials to give proper security…Sanjay, I have just done my duty. During the conviction too I had said you are not a terrorist. You know what you have done. I don’t want you to lose faith in yourself.

Sanjay: Yes sir, it’s just that I am tired.

Judge Kode: Yes, I know but don’t lose faith. Your are Number 1 in your field. In the 10 years, you have done well even during the trial… You should be like Gregory Peck, who acted in films like McKenna’s Gold.

Sanjay: (Says nothing, merely nods his head.)

Judge Kode: Which was the last film your father acted in… (pauses)… Munnabhai! He looked better than you. As your father acted till his last moment, so must you… I have sentenced you to only six years, of which two years have already passed and the remaining four will also pass quickly. You also have lawyers who can appeal to higher courts.