Maharashtra Govt. orders inquiry on second parole for actor Sanjay Dutt

The Government of Maharashtra has ordered an inquiry on reasons for granting parole to actor Sanjay Dutt for a second time in a little over a month.

Maharashtra Home Minister R. R. Patil told reporters in Mumbai last evening that the parole had been granted by the Pune Divisional Commissioner. He said the state government would look into the matter and seek the relevant documents that formed the basis for allowing Dutt's release on parole.

On Saturday, there were protests outside Pune's Yerawada Jail against the granting of parole to Dutt.

Pune Divisional Commissioner Prabhakar Deshmukh had yesterday granted parole to the actor who is lodged in Yerawada Jail in connection with 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case. Sanjay Dutt, had availed of a month-long leave on medical grounds and had returned to the jail on October 30.

Dutt had cited his wife Manyata's illness for seeking parole this time.

Protests were staged by Republican Party of India (RPI) activists.

Yogesh Desai, the Jail Superintendent of Yerawada Jail, said Dutt had submitted an application for the present parole along with his request for a medical furlough in October.

The 53-year-old actor was sent to jail in May to serve the remaining 42 months of his five-year sentence after being convicted of possessing illegal firearms in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case.

He had earlier been granted a 14-day medical furlough at the beginning of October, which was extended further by another 14 days on health grounds. He was effectively at his Mumbai home all of October and returned to the prison on October 30.

Dutt has claimed that Maanayata is unwell, but on Thursday,she was seen at two separate events. She was present at actor Shahid Kapoor's special screening of his latest movie "R.... Rajkumar" at a studio in Juhu.

She later attended Krishika Lulla's birthday party.

Deshmukh had confirmed the development on Friday.

"The parole application was recommended by an ACP in Mumbai Police and the jail superintendent of Yerawada prison. Considering these recommendations, I have approved Dutt's parole for 30 days. The reason for seeking leave was his wife's illness," he said.

Reacting to this development, advocate Abha Singh said: "Old Zaibunissa Kazi and Sanjay Dutt went to jail together.Yet, she has not been granted parole, but he (Dutt) has been granted parole repeatedly."

Social and civil rights activist Annie Raja said: "There are thousands in jails who never get to meet their loved ones.This is an injustice to those people.