Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt is finally out of the Pune’s Yerwada prison, after serving 42 months long jail term.
The actor who was jailed in an arms case related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts, saluted to the building before walking off from it.
Here are the 10 latest developments relating to Sanjay Dutt release.
1. Accompanied by his wife Maanayata Dutt, while the 56 year old actor was walking at the Pune airport, spoke to the media in brief saying, “There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends.”
2. Reportedly, firstly, Sanjay visits Mumbai's famous Siddhivinayak temple and offer prayers and from there, he will head to his mother Nargis Dutt's grave in Marine Lines, before heading to his Pali Hill home.
3. The actor was released around eight months ahead of time - the reprieve was granted on grounds of good behavior.
4. Alleging that Dutt was getting preferential treatment, yesterday, in Bombay High Court, a petition was filed challenging the actor’s early release.
5. Even Dutt’s frequent breaks from jail had earlier been criticized as evidence of VIP treatment. Between May 2013 and 2014, Dutt spent over 118 days out of the jail.
6. “His remission was worked out in compliance with jail rules and he was treated like any other convict,” Yerwada Jail Superintendent UT Pawar said, denying the allegations of VIP treatment.
7. For the illegal possession of an AK-56 rifle and a pistol acquired from those involved in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, Sanjay Dutt was found guilty. After serving 18 months of jail, he was out on bail, fighting the conviction, until a court in March 2013 ordered him to complete the jail term.
8. Dutt claimed that he had acquired the weapons to protect himself and his family during the riots that erupted after the blasts.
9. Last year, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju filed a mercy petition for Dutt, but was turned down.
10. Maharashtra Governor, C Vidyasagar Rao had rejected it, the sources say, after the state home department said the conviction was confirmed by the Supreme Court and it would set a bad precedent, if the petition is approved.
By Phani Ch
