Sanjay Dutt was convicted by the Supreme Court for illegal possession of arms and was sentenced to six years of imprisonment. (File photo)
Questioning the repeated parole given to actor Sanjay Dutt who is serving a six-year term in a Pune jail, the Bombay High Court today said, "What is the point of rules and regulations if a convict can enjoy 105 days outside the jail?"
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation or PIL against the actor's parole, the court also observed that the state government "would not have shown this diligence in cases where convict is a common man" and added that the state "should exercise its discretionary powers properly and should not discriminate."
The court's remarks came a day after the Centre asked the Maharashtra government to explain why the 54-year-old actor, who is serving a six-year jail term in a 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, 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.
The actor 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.
Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil had said the state government will investigate allegations that the actor was being provided alcohol in jail.