Sanjay was supposed to return to Yerawada jail on February 21.
Mumbai:
Maharashtra Chief MinisterPrithviraj Chavan today defended extension of parole of actorSanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Bombay serial blasts case,saying the action was taken as per law and no rules wereviolated.
"Decisions are taken as per law, without violating anyprovisions. Decisions are taken at the appropriate level.There is nothing political in it, no rules were violated," thechief minister said.
The parole to Dutt, 53, convicted under Arms Act forillegal possession of weapons, part of a cache to be usedduring the terror attack, was yesterday extended by anothermonth by Pune district authorities to enable him to attend tohis ailing wife Manyata, who recently underwent a surgicalprocedure.
He was supposed to return to Yerawada jail on February21 to serve the remainder of his five year sentence.
The Bollywood actor was granted a month-long parole onDecember 6 last year, which was extended by another 30 dayslast month on account of his wife's illness. Before that, hewas on a month-long leave of furlough on medical grounds.Dutt's release on parole in December had sparkedprotests outside Yerawada jail, forcing the government toorder an inquiry.
His prolonged stay out of prison has triggered acontroversy with a PIL being filed yesterday in the BombayHigh Court challenging extension of his parole. The PILaccusing the superintendent of Yerawada jail and PuneDivisional Commissioner of abusing their powers has beenposted for hearing on February 25.
"Decisions are taken as per law, without violating anyprovisions. Decisions are taken at the appropriate level.There is nothing political in it, no rules were violated," thechief minister said.
The parole to Dutt, 53, convicted under Arms Act forillegal possession of weapons, part of a cache to be usedduring the terror attack, was yesterday extended by anothermonth by Pune district authorities to enable him to attend tohis ailing wife Manyata, who recently underwent a surgicalprocedure.
He was supposed to return to Yerawada jail on February21 to serve the remainder of his five year sentence.
The Bollywood actor was granted a month-long parole onDecember 6 last year, which was extended by another 30 dayslast month on account of his wife's illness. Before that, hewas on a month-long leave of furlough on medical grounds.Dutt's release on parole in December had sparkedprotests outside Yerawada jail, forcing the government toorder an inquiry.
His prolonged stay out of prison has triggered acontroversy with a PIL being filed yesterday in the BombayHigh Court challenging extension of his parole. The PILaccusing the superintendent of Yerawada jail and PuneDivisional Commissioner of abusing their powers has beenposted for hearing on February 25.
