Sanjay Dutt seeks parole extension by another month

MUMBAI: Actor Sanjay Dutt recently applied for extension of parole by 30 days, citing his wife Manyata's illness. This is the third time Dutt has sought parole on similar grounds.

Dutt was sentenced to five-year jail term for possessing illegal firearms during the 1993 bomb blasts. He had spent nearly a year-and-a-half in jail before coming out on bail.

Last year, the SC dismissed his curative plea seeking relief. It asked Dutt to serve out his sentence, following which he surrendered last May to undergo the remaining jail term at Yerawada central jail.

On December 21, Dutt was released on a 30-day parole to look after Manyata, who has been reportedly diagnosed with tumour in lungs. He was supposed to return to jail on January 21, but his parole was extended to February 21.

Last week, Dutt approached the Pune divisional commissioner for parole extension. The divisional commissioner, who is authorized to extend the parole, has asked the Khar police to verify details and submit a detail report. The divisional commissioner can grant 90 days parole in a year to convicts based on good conduct or if there is a necessity to provide medical aid to wife or close family members, said an officer. "We will again record the statement of the doctor treating Manyata and submit a report after verifying other details," said an officer.

Earlier, Dutt's parole created a controversy after political activists demonstrated at Yerawada jail alleging that authorities showing favouritism towards the actor.