Three aides of Sanjay Dutt found guilty

Mumbai: A special court yesterday pronounced three close associates of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt guilty of delivering weapons to him prior to the March 12, 1993 Mumbai serial bombings.

The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court found film producer and Dutt's close friend Sameer Hingora and the actor's businessman friend Baba Chouhan among the three guilty of delivering weapons to Dutt at his Pali Hill residence in Bandra.

The court also held another Dutt aide, Rusi Mulla, guilty of keeping with him a 9mm pistol given to him by the actor's friend Kersi Adajenia.

Mulla was found guilty under the Arms Act and absolved of charges under TADA for conspiracy, aiding and abetting terror acts similar to Dutt who was convicted on Tuesday.

After a long-drawn trial, which started in January 1994, the TADA court has been pronouncing verdicts on the Mumbai blasts since September 12.