Protest over parole for Sanjay Dutt

A group of Republican Party of India (RPI) activists demonstrated outside the Yerawada Central Jail here Saturday, protesting the likely release of incarcerated Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt on parole.

Waving black flags and banners, the RPI activists shouted slogans demanding that Dutt should not be granted parole and must be treated at par with any other prisoner.

Police deployment has been beefed up outside the jail since last night with the expected release of Dutt on parole, as his wife Maanyata Dutt is unwell.

Dutt, 54, had recently applied for a month's parole contending that he wanted to take care of his wife. The parole has been granted and he is awaiting release from the jail to return home to Mumbai.

However, Maanyata reportedly attended a film premier Thursday night and her pictures were splashed in various online media sporting a jeans and t-shirt.

This would be the third time that Dutt would come out on parole in the past three months.

Dutt had been granted a fortnight's parole for medical reasons Oct 1 which was extended by another 15 days. He returned to the jail Oct 30.

The actor is presently serving the remaining 42 months of his five-year sentence for involvement in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

Having served 18 months in jail as an undertrial, Dutt started his stint in the Yerawada jail May 16 this year. In the jail he has been employed in making paper bags which are sold outside through some NGOs.

Though he spent Diwali in jail along with the other inmates, he is likely to enjoy Christmas and New Year with his family.

Dutt has acted in movies like "Munnabhai M.B.B.S", "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" and "Agneepath" in the past few years.