Rakesh Maria Recounts How Sanjay Dutt’s Name Emerged in the 1993 Mumbai Blasts Probe

Sanjay Dutt’s involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case first surfaced when investigators discovered he had illegally possessed weapons linked to the conspiracy. Former IPS officer Rakesh Maria, who led the probe, has now detailed the sequence of events and the tense interrogations that followed.

Maria recalled that when Dutt’s name initially appeared in the investigation, the actor was out of Mumbai. Upon his return, he was taken into custody directly from the airport. According to Maria, Dutt initially denied all allegations. When he refused to confess, Maria admitted to slapping him and pulling him by the hair during questioning—an incident he later described to Dutt’s father, veteran actor and politician Sunil Dutt.

How Sanjay Dutt’s Name Entered the Investigation

Maria explained that Dutt’s name came up after the interrogation of Hanif Kadawala and Samir Hingora, owners of a well-known restaurant in Bandra. Hingora, who was then the President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association, initially denied involvement. However, when pressed, he challenged the officer:
“Why aren’t you arresting the big people?”
When asked whom he meant, Hingora replied:
“Sanjay Dutt.”
Maria said he was shocked: “What could Sanjay Dutt possibly have to do with this?”

Weapons Delivered to Dutt’s House

According to Maria, the accused men told him that the conspirators needed a safe location to temporarily store weapons used in the blasts. They allegedly suggested Sanjay Dutt’s residence as a secure place. Dutt reportedly received a call beforehand, and when the men arrived, he asked them to park the car and unload the “goods.”

Maria stated that Dutt kept some of the illegal weapons but returned most of them to the conspirators before the blasts took place.

The Interrogation: “Tell me your story, or I will tell you your story.”

Maria described the emotionally charged interrogation session. Dutt was held in a Crime Branch room under strict restrictions—no cigarettes, no phone calls.

Maria recalled entering the room at 8 a.m. after days of investigation pressure:
“I asked him, ‘Will you tell me the truth, or should I tell you your role?’ He insisted he was innocent.”

Overwhelmed with frustration, Maria admitted to striking Dutt and pulling his hair, demanding respect and honesty.
At that point, Dutt asked to speak privately—and then confessed.

“Please don’t tell my father”

Maria recounted Dutt breaking down after his confession:
“He said, ‘I made a mistake. Please don’t tell my father.’”
Maria replied:
“How can I not tell him? You must take responsibility.”

Sunil Dutt’s Reaction

Sunil Dutt soon arrived with Rajendra Kumar, Mahesh Bhatt, Yash Johar and politician Baldev Khosla, insisting that his son was incapable of wrongdoing. Maria then brought Sanjay into the room.

The scene, he said, was unforgettable:
“Sanjay saw his father and broke down like a child. He fell at his feet and said, ‘Dad, I made a mistake. No father should ever have to go through this.’”
Maria recalled Sunil Dutt’s face turning pale as he heard his son’s confession.