Mumbai blasts case: SC allows Hingora to go abroad

Mumbai blasts case: SC allows Hingora to go abroad

NEW DELHI: Bollywood producer Samir Hingora, who is on bail after his conviction in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, was on Thursday allowed by the Supreme Court to go abroad in connection with shooting of his films.

Hingora, who was held guilty and sentenced to nine years imprisonment by a TADA Court for his involvement in the Mumbai blasts conspiracy and supply of weapon to his actor- friend Sanjay Dutt, was allowed to visit South Africa by a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan.

Dutt's other friend, Yusuf Nulwalla, who had helped the actor in destroying an AK-56 rifle and was awarded five years jail term, was allowed to get a passport issued.

The Bench imposed stringent conditions on Hingora directing him to inform the Special Task Force, CBI, Mumbai, about his telephone numbers where he will be available during his visit and furnish an undertaking that after his trip from May 22 to June 2, he will surrender his passport on June 3.

Hingora had sought permission for release of his passport to visit three countries -- South Africa, New Zealand and Dubai -- in connection with the shooting of his films.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the producer, had submitted that like Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, he should be allowed to visit foreign countries for his professional commitments.