One of Bollywood's biggest names, Sanjay Dutt, was today jailed for six years on the last day of an epic trial into India's worst terrorist attack, the bombings in Mumbai in 1993 that claimed the lives of 257 people.
Dutt, whose early success was founded on action hero roles but later turned his hand to comedy, was found guilty of illegally possessing three AK-56 rifles, a pistol and ammunition in a trial that lasted more than a dozen years.
The actor claimed he feared for his life after the notorious "Black Friday" bombings, which were allegedly staged by Mumbai's Muslim-dominated mafia in retaliation for deadly Hindu-Muslim clashes a few months earlier.
However, the judge rejected this defence and also refused bail. "The crime was not brutal and did not result in any harm to anyone," said the judge, Pramod Kode. But it was an "eminently dangerous act", which encouraged others to break the law.
Dutt stood weeping before the judge, after pleading with folded hands to be given bail to prepare an appeal. "Don't be sentimental, be calm and quiet," the judge told the actor. Dutt was also fined 25,000 rupees (£305).
The muscular 48-year-old, who has 1bn rupees' worth of films riding on him, was cleared of conspiracy charges in the blasts. He is likely to serve a little more than four years in prison as he has already spent 18 months in jail awaiting trial.
Bollywood was quick to support the actor, who has garnered sympathy for his long battle with alcohol. Actress Kirron Kher told reporters Dutt had "suffered enough for years [and] he has been exemplary in behaviour."
The sentencing once again raised questions about India's film industry, which has long been dogged by rumours of links to Mumbai's criminal underworld. But trade analysts questioned whether the impact would be long-lasting.
"Sanjay Dutt was not convicted of terrorism. People will make the distinction and he will be welcomed back by the masses. He's got a big following. Even if he does four years he can come back and start afresh," said Komal Nata, who runs Film Information, an industry guide.
The sentencing of Dutt, along with three others, ends the Mumbai bombings trial, which dragged on for 12 years and saw more than 100 people convicted, 686 witnesses and 13,000 pages of testimony. A dozen people were sentenced to death, while 20 others face life sentences.
