Sanjay Dutt unlikely to be sentenced tomorrow

The Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court conducting the 1993 serial blasts trial is unlikely to pronounce its sentence for actor Sanjay Dutt on Friday, despite having summoned him to appear before it, the special public prosecutor said.

"It is unlikely that the sentence for Dutt will be given tomorrow," special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told reporters following proceedings in the court today.

Dutt, convicted for illegal possession of an assault rifle and pistol, has applied under the Probation of Offenders Act seeking exemption from a prison term.

The court has asked for reports from the concerned probation officer, but has not disclosed the names of the convicts whose data it had sought. Other accused have also applied under the same Act as Dutt, seeking an exemption of prison term.

"The court has not yet received any report from the probation officer and they could take some time due to which the judgement on the application may not be given tomorrow," Nikam said.