1993 Mumbai blasts would have been averted if Sanjay Dutt had informed police: Ujjwal Nikam

Eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam was recently nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Nikam was the special public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.

In an interview with NDTV, Nikam claimed that the 1993 blasts in Mumbai could have been averted if Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt informed the police regarding the vehicle from which he picked AK-47.

In 1993 the actor was arrested under 'Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) law'. He was sentences to five years in prison and the TADA charges were related to his 'involvement regarding the bombings'.

Nikam in the interview said that Sanjay Dutt was 'innocent' and had the possession of guns because he liked guns.

"he did commit an offence in the eyes of the law. But he is straight forward guy... I considered him innocent," Nikam told the publication.

Nikam further said that on March 12 a van, which was brought by Abu Salem, henchman of Dawood Ibrahim, had been to Sanjay Dutt's home. There were grenades and guns in the van. Sanjay Dutt kept one AK-47.

"Had he informed the police at the time, the police would have investigated and the Mumbai blasts would never have happened," Nikam told the publication.

He also mentioned that possession of the gun was "one thing", however, him not informing the police about the weapons loaded vans "led to the blasts".

Further Nikam spoke about his conversation with the actor after the incident. Nikam felt sanjay dutt was in "shock" and "could not tolerate the verdict".

Nikam told dutt to not "appear scared" as the media was watching him.

"If you appear scared by the sentence, people would consider you guilty. You have a chance to appeal," Nikam told Dutt, as mentioned in the report.