The fact of the matter is that there are much much BIGGER criminals still at large who are bent upon destroying the very moral fabric of the society by indulging in ghastly criminal acts. Sanjay Dutt is a pea of the pod. I really think that the guy have gone through a lot as it is.. In my opinion he has been made to suffer in the past ten years and the judge could have made a difference by asking him to make a difference in the society by welfare work, or donations or steps on eliminating poverty and so on. Given his star appeal, the nation could have benefitted from his social activities, instead of sending him to jail for 10 years.
But having said that, I do not think that every one with star appeal should be pardoned. No nat at all. But in sanjay's case, I think the actor have gone through his moments and have been made to suffer at the hands of court.