Governor K Sankaranarayanan had received representations on this issue from citizens and organisations from all parts of the country. These include those sent by Justice Markandeya Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India and others.

The Supreme Court has sentenced Dutt to 5 years in jail for his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. He will have to serve three-and-a-half years, as he has already served 18 months.