Sanjay Dutt walks out of Pune’s Yerwada jail after 42 months

mangaloretoday.com

Pune, Feb 25, 2016:  Actor Sanjay Dutt, jailed in an arms case related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts, was released from Pune’s Yerwada jail today.

The 56-year-old, who has spent 42 months in prison, walked out of jail around eight months ahead of time - the reprieve was granted on grounds of good behaviour.

A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court yesterday challenging Sanjay Dutt’s early release, alleging that the actor was getting preferential treatment.

 

"His remission was worked out in compliance with jail rules and he was treated like any other convict," Yerwada Jail Superintendent UT Pawar had told news agency Press Trust of India, refuting the allegations.

The actor will reportedly take a chartered flight to Mumbai where he will first visit the Siddhivinayak temple to offer prayers. From there, he will head to his mother Nargis Dutt’s grave in Marine Lines before heading to his Pali Hill residence.

In 2007, Sanjay Dutt was found guilty of illegal possession of an AK-56 rifle and a pistol acquired from those involved in the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai that killed 257 people and injured hundreds. The actor served 18 months but then was out on bail, fighting the conviction until a court in March 2013 ordered him back to jail in Pune.

Mr Dutt, who was cleared of conspiracy charges in connection with the blasts, had claimed that he had acquired the weapons to protect himself and his family during the riots that erupted after the blasts.

Last year, a petition for his pardon, filed by former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, was turned down.

Justice Katju had argued that Mr Dutt was "not a terrorist" and had only "erred". "The only charge on which Sanjay Dutt has been found guilty is the charge of having in his possession a prohibited weapon".

Sources said Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao had rejected it on the recommendation of the state home department, which said it would set a bad precedent as the actor’s conviction was confirmed by the Supreme Court.