Bollywood actor and a convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts Sanjay Dutt has reportedly been awarded a 30-day parole by Divisional Commissioner of Pune as the actor wants to attend to his daughter who is undergoing a ‘nose surgery’.
The application, seeking parole, was submitted by Dutt’s lawyer in July and was granted by the Divisional Commissioner S Chokalingam about two days prior.
The actor may spend a day or two more at the Yerwada Jail before the formalities are completed for his release on parole. Under the rules, he may be granted for a 30-day extension beyond the 30 days period for which he has been granted parole.
Uttam Pawar, Superintendent of Yerwada Central Prison in Pune, said that they have received the order from the jail superintendent and it’s being processed now.
“He may be released from the prison in a day or two. We are complying with the order passed by the competent authorities,” said Pawar.Frequent release of Dutt on parole and furlough have led to a debate with a section alleging that the actor is being given special treatment for his status, influence and popularity. The state administration has maintained that they have been following the rules that are the same in case of every prisoner who’s undergoing imprisonment in the state jail.
Dutt was was brought to the prison in May 2013 after he surrendered before the TADA court. In October 2013, he was granted furlough only to be extended by another 14 days. Then in January 2014, he was granted parole for 30 days, which was extended for 60 days. He was again granted furlough of 14 day in December 2014, which was not extended after massive criticism in media.
