MUMBAI: T he designated Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (prevention) Act (TADA) court here on Thursday extended the time granted to actor Sunil Mr. Dutt to surrender till further orders in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam in his arguments that continued on Thursday demanded maximum penalty for the actor.

Opposing Mr. Dutt's plea seeking exemption under the Probation of Offenders Act, Mr. Nikam told the court that taking into consideration the nature of the crime, the age of the accused, his character and the circumstances of the case, it was not a fit case under the Act. "When you possess an AK-56, it is not for a bona fide purpose," he said. "It is hazardous."

Though the actor did not use the weapon, he possessed it and it was a technical offence, Mr. Nikam told the court. Mr. Dutt was fully aware that this was a "weapon of mass destruction." The nature of the offence was serious and he got the weapon as a token of good relations.

"It costs Rs. 15 lakh a piece, and where is the evidence that this was purchased?" Mr. Nikam asked, adding that Mr. Dutt's confession showed that he did not pay for the three AK-56 rifles.

Describing Mr. Dutt as a habitual offender, Mr. Nikam said that he had a tendency to procure weapons by illegal means. This tendency could not be curbed unless he was sent to jail. Mr. Dutt also admitted to his acquaintance with Anees Ibrahim, Dawood's brother, and was invited by him to dinner while shooting for a film in Dubai.

Mr. Nikam remarked that "a person is known by the company he keeps and Dutt has gangsters among his acquaintances."

The prosecution also demanded maximum sentence for Yusuf Nulwala, Kersi Adejenia and Rusi Mulla and said they were not entitled to any benefit under the Probation of Offenders Act.

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