Sanjay Dutt was convicted by the Supreme Court of illegal possession of arms and was sentenced to six years of imprisonment. (File photo)
The Centre has asked the Maharashtra government to explain repeated parole given to actor Sanjay Dutt, who is serving a six-year jail term in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.
The Home Ministry has written to the state government asking why the 54-year-old actor has been given the special privilege of parole thrice in the nine months he has been in jail.
Mr Dutt was convicted by the Supreme Court for illegal possession of arms and was sentenced to six years of imprisonment. He had earlier served 18 months. He surrendered before a Mumbai court in May to serve the remaining term.
Mr Dutt has been out on parole since December 21 and was to return to the Yerawada Jail in Pune on February 21. Reports said his parole was extended again till March 21 on his request to be with his wife Manyata, who is said to be unwell, and his twin children.
The Bombay High Court is also expected to take up on February 25, a petition that questions the grounds on which the authorities have been granting parole and furlough to the actor. Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil had said the state government will investigate allegations that the actor was being provided alcohol in jail.