A special court has allowed film actor Sanjay Dutt, accused in the 1993 bomb blast case, to visit Tanzania and South Africa from Friday for a month on professional assignment and also on an extended vacation.
Sanjay's lawyer Farhana Shah pleaded that the actor was a brand ambassador of a company's product and was required to be in South Africa to attend a function.
She also sought permission for Sanjay to visit South Africa and Tanzania for a safari tour with his family.
Sanjay's daughter Trishala would also accompany the actor.
The designated judge of TADA (P) court P D Kode on Thursday allowed Sanjay to go abroad on condition that he would file a detailed programme of his visit and also restrained him from maintaining contact with any of the absconding accused.
The Judge told Sanjay to ensure that his lawyer represented him during his absence in the court and in case his presence was needed he would have to appear before the court within 48 hours.
Sanjay is facing the charge of allegedly possessing and destroying an AK-56 rifle, which was part of the arms consignment that landed at Dighi coast in Raigad district prior to the serial blasts in 1993. However, witnesses have turned hostile by not supporting the prosecution's case.
The court has exempted Dutt and 85 others from personal appearance till November 9.