INDIA: SC dismisses plea of Zaibunisa, others seeking extension of time to surrender

Dhananjay Mahapatra, TNN.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea by 1993 Mumbai serial blast case convicts Zaibunisa and two others seeking extension of their surrender deadline to undergo jail term by two weeks.

The apex court said if such petitions are entertained after final judgment then every murder and rape convict would make a similar plea for deferment of sentence to seek respite from their jail term from the President.

Lawyer Fali Nariman argued that though they stand convicted they be allowed the benefit of taking resort to pardon powers of the President, who he said has already forwarded their petitions to home ministry for its views.

Actor Sanjay Dutt on Monday also moved the Supreme Court seeking a six-month extension of his April 18 surrender deadline.

Seven films with a budget of Rs 278 crore were under various stages of production and it needed 196 acting days to complete, Dutt said in his application which will be placed before a bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam for hearing on Tuesday afternoon.

Dutt also said he had already undergone 18 months imprisonment and that during pendency of his appeal against the trial court's judgment in apex court, he was permitted to go abroad for shooting. He said he had scrupulously abided by the conditions imposed on him.

Source: Times of India (16/04/2013): http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/1993-Mumbai-blasts-SC-dismisses-plea-of-Zaibunisa-others-seeking-extension-of-time-to-surrender/articleshow/19574706.cms