Published: 10:57 AM, 15 July 2026
Sanjay Dutt was ‘trembling’ after 1993 Arms Act verdict
Sanjay Dutt's link to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts is still one of the most debated chapters of his life. While the court eventually cleared him of terrorism and conspiracy, he was found guilty under the Arms Act for keeping illegal weapons. Years later, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam shared what actually happened in the courtroom the moment the verdict dropped. According to him, Sanjay was terrified when the judge ordered him back into custody.
Speaking to Lallantop, Ujjwal Nikam reflected on the intense criticism he navigated throughout the trial due to Sanjay Dutt's sympathetic public image. Nikam pointed out that whenever the actor broke down in tears, the public placed the blame directly on him. Highlighting the media's immense power to shape public perception, he recalled the tense moment the verdict was delivered. He noted that Sanjay was understandably terrified, as the actor had been living out on bail before the court ultimately ordered him to be taken back into custody.
Ujjwal Nikam said he strongly opposed granting Sanjay Dutt relief under the Probation of Offenders Act. Explaining his position, he said, “My argument was that Sanjay Dutt should not get the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act. He was convicted under the Arms Act, though the court acquitted him of conspiracy charges, and we had no objection to that. However, I argued that he should be sentenced to seven years under the Arms Act.”
He further explained that Dutt's legal team had sought leniency by arguing it was his first offence. He added, “His lawyer contended that since it was his first offence, he should be released on bond. I objected because the pistol he possessed had come from the number one shooter of Dawood Ibrahim. If he accepted a weapon from such a person, he was fully aware of his criminal background. The benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act is meant for first-time offenders who are genuinely innocent but get trapped in unfortunate circumstances. That was not the case with Sanjay Dutt.”
