Sanjay Dutt Convicted
The only Indian film I've seen in cinemas so far this year was Lage Raho Munnabhai, starring Sanjay Dutt as a ne'er-do-well transformed through his contact with the spirit of Ghandi. Dutt is a producer and an actor - and appeared in the Bollywood takes on both Reservoir Dogs and Old Boy.
Now he has been convicted in relation to the 1993 Mumbai bombings, the "deadliest bomb attacks in Indian history". The trials have taken thirteen years because, according to Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, "According to the Indian judicial system, every point has to be proven by the prosecution including those that are often presumed in foreign countries. Every person or accused is supposed to be innocent until the prosecution proves the charge against him or her. That's why we face many difficulties when trying to establish serious charges against the accused."
Dutt was acquitted on several counts, but his conviction for posessing illegal firearms means that he will now serve up to three years in prison.
2 comments:
I am surprised to see comments of a person settled in Oxford, UK, the country which gave India the Anglo-Saxon legal principles, inter alia, including the one which states that "Everybody is presumed innocent till proved guilty" or the one that says that "Let hundred guilty go unpunished but no innocent person should be convicted". I wonder whether in UK, you have many laws which first presume the guilt of the accused and then put the burden on the accused to disprove his guilt. I am sorry, friend. This is not the position in UK also in respect of most of the laws. I do not know which foreign countries you are referring to, what level of democratic and legal setup they have got. But, one thing is sure, in most of the countries, normally speaking, the burden always lies on the prosecution to prove the case. Exceptions are of course there.
Secondly, may I point out that the minimum punishment to which Sanjay Dutt is exposed to will be 5 years and not 3 years for the possession of firearms of which he has been convicted?
At least I found that the judgment in the Sanjay Dutt matter was a just decision. You may see my views, if you so wish, in this regard on my blog at http://ashokdhamija.blogspot.com/ ("a few weird thoughts...!").
Regards,
Dr Ashok Dhamija.
I believe, Dr., you may have attributed some quotes I placed in the post to me. I was simply quoting.
As regards the five years sentance - yes, formally five years, expected release in three - isn't that right? Several sources have it that way at least.
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