Indian movie star sentenced to six years

MUMBAI, July 31 (UPI) -- Indian movie star Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to six years in jail for illegal possession of arms acquired from those accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bombings.

The weapons were allegedly given to the Bollywood star by associates of gangster Dawood Ibrahim prior to the bombings in which 257 people were killed, various media reports said.

Dutt, who has served 16 months in prison since his arrest in April 1993, had remained on bail since then until Tuesday's sentencing by a special court in Mumbai. Judge P.D. Kode also imposed a fine of about $600 on the 48-year-old actor.

Dutt was earlier cleared of the more serious conspiracy charge. He was sentenced for unauthorized possession of arms for which he could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The sentencing, which is expected to be appealed, is another step in a case that has occupied the attention of practically the entire country because of the popularity of Dutt, who is a member of a prominent family involved both in the movies and politics.

The 1993 bombings were seen as retaliation, ordered by Ibrahim, for the demolition of a mosque and subsequent Hindi-Muslim riots. Ibrahim remains at large.