On 12 March 1993, 12 bombs ripped through India's financial capital, killing 257 people and injuring more than 700. The deadly blasts targeted several key locations in the city including the Bombay Stock Exchange, an iconic building of national airline Air India, the headquarters of the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Hindu political party, and a couple of popular shopping areas in the city.
Mr. Dutt was sentenced to six years in prison in 2007 for illegal possession of weapons that were supplied to him by men subsequently convicted in the bombing. That court cleared Mr. Dutt of involvement with the bombing plot. He has denied involvement with the attacks and said he asked for the guns to protect his family.
He appealed the decision at the Supreme Court and was let out on bail in 2007. He has remained at liberty since then, continuing to make blockbuster films and hosting India's version of the Big Brother reality-television franchise.
The court on Thursday reduced his sentence to five years but said the circumstances and nature of offense was so serious that Mr. Dutt cannot be released on probation. Mr. Dutt, 53 years old, already has spent a cumulative 18 months in jail on related charges.
Mr. Dutt will have to surrender within four weeks to serve the sentence, the court said.
"I am shattered and in emotional distress," Mr. Dutt said in a statement. "I have always respected the judicial system and will continue to do so, even with tears in my eyes," he said.
His lawyer Satish Maneshinde told the media that he would consider filing a review petition of the decision on his client's behalf after seeing the judgment.
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