Sanjay Dutt should not be pardoned, says Ramdas Athawale

MUMBAI: Stating that nobody is bigger than law, Republican Party of India (RPI) President Ramdas Athawale today said Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, should not be pardoned.

"Nobody is bigger than law. Law is equal for all. Sanjay Dutt should be punished and he should accept it (punishment) with humility," he said in a statement here.

"Sanjay Dutt is not bigger than law or the country. He is a culprit and his crime has been proved," he said, adding that it is condemnable that some politicians are disappointed over the Supreme Court verdict in the case.

The 53-year-old actor, awarded five-year jail term by the apex court for illegal possession of arms, should not be pardoned in any circumstances, the former MP maintained.

Dutt should respect the apex court verdict and surrender before the police, the former Maharashtra Minister said.

Several well-known personalties, including Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju, actor-politicians Jaya Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Jayaprada, and Amar Singh have sought pardon for Dutt.