Sanjay Dutt's controversial past caught up with him on Tuesday when a special court sentenced him to six years' rigorous imprisonment for being in possession of "dangerous weapons" in the 1993 Mumbai bombings case - bringing the curtain down on one of the world's longest-running terror trials.

Those who witnessed Dutt's sentencing in court say that an emotional Sanjay tried pleading for time - a chance to talk to his family - but to no avail.

"Though the crime was not brutal, cruel, ghastly, inhuman, not anti-social, and not immoral and did not result in any harm to anyone, it was still a serious offence as the accused had encouraged others to break the law," Kode told the courtroom.

The actor, who turned 48 on Sunday, made a last-ditch attempt to plead with Judge P.D. Kode to give him a couple of days to surrender before he starts serving his six-year long prison term for possessing "dangerous weapons".

"I have several family responsibilities to take care of and one of my sisters is pregnant. I have some family obligations to take care of," Dutt pleaded with Kode adding, "You too are a family man and you know me better than anyone else seeing me for the last fourteen years."

"I am helpless. Please understand me. I have no power now after pronouncing the sentence. I have been very considerate with you and allowed you to be on bail since you were convicted on Nov 28 last year." Kode said.

The actor, the most high profile among the 100 convicts who were sentenced, then pleaded that he should be allowed to take one phone call from his teenaged daughter.

"Will it be a collect call or will it be a billed call," Kode asked attorney Satish Manesinde in a lighter vein, granting permission before the actor was taken into custody."

Kode however, warned that the actor was not permitted to speak to the media or give any interview while he was waiting for his daughter's call.

" I have given permission for one overseas call, but ensure that you don't give any interview to the media or interact with them on phone," Kode warned before Sanjay was escorted out of the court room.

In no time, he was ordered to be lodged at the Arthur Road jail a stone's throw away from the TADA court.

Trishala Dutt, Sanjay's 18-year-old daughter, told the Indian media she can't believe ‘an honest man' like her father has been given such a harsh sentence.

Currently in New York, she expressed deep distress over her father's fate minutes after the verdict was announced.

"I am shattered and speechless. I've been in constant touch with dad since early morning. In fact, we almost broke down last night on the phone. He even spoke to me before he entered the court," says Trishala.

She adds, "He was stressed out but made a point of not showing it to me. I can't imagine what he must be going through at this moment. I am scared and worried for him."

A shaken Priya Dutt was also seen following her brother after the sentencing, and her face said it all - the grief and crippling disappointment.