Sanjay Dutt's 100-plus days out of jail: what is the point of rules, asks court

Highlights

• The Bombay High Court on Tuesday questioned the decision of the jail authorities to allow Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt to spend more than 100 days outside jail. The court was hearing a petition that questioned the grounds on which the authorities had granted parole and furlough to the actor. A judge said, "what is the point of rules and regulations if a convict can enjoy 105 days outside the jail?"
• The court said the state government would not have shown this diligence in cases where the convict is a common man. It also held that the state should exercise its discretionary powers properly and should not discriminate.
• The Centre has also raised questions about Sanjay Dutt's extended leave. The Home Ministry wrote to the Maharashtra government asking them to explain why the actor had been granted leave thrice in nine months, with extensions each time.
• Sanjay Dutt, 54, is serving a five-year jail term for his role in the Bombay blasts of 1993. Mr Dutt was convicted by the Supreme Court of illegal possession of arms and was sentenced to five years of imprisonment. He had earlier served 18 months. He surrendered before a Mumbai court in May last year to serve the remaining term.
• Mr Dutt has been out on parole since December 21, 2013 and was to return to the Yerawada Jail in Pune on February 21. Reports said his parole was extended till March 21 after he said he needed to be with his wife Maanyata, who is said to be unwell, and his twin children. Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil had said the state government will investigate allegations that the actor was being provided alcohol in jail.