If the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and his home department ignores the incident of Dutt not returning to jail in the prescribed period, after the time period of his furlough expires, Dutt will be freed from jail on February 25, 2016 rather than on October 25, on the grounds of his good conduct and behavior.
As told to Times Of India by a prominent bureaucrat on Monday, “Dutt was released on furlough for 14 days, but his surrender was delayed by two days. It was due to a procedural lapse, the delay in returning to prison was not deliberate. Under such circumstances, it is likely to be condoned. In that event, Dutt will be released from jail on February 25.”
Sanjay had been taken into custody following 1993 serial bomb blasts since he possessed weapons; however, Dutt was given bail after 18 months. Though offence had been registered earlier at Mahim police station, it was later transferred to CBI New Delhi. On 31st July, 2007, Dutt was sentenced 6 yrs imprisonment under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act by a special court. Subsequently, he filed special leave petition and on 21st March, 2013, SC made modifications in TADA judgment, reducing punishment to 5 yrs instead of 6 in addition to Rs. 25,000 fine. According to the bureaucrat, “Dutt had already been lodged in jail for 18 months in 2007-08. For the remaining period of his jail term of more than three years, he was sent to Pune’s Yerawada jail on May 22, 2013.”
As stated by him, 5-yr jail term of Sanjay will get completed in October 2016; nevertheless, he’ll get release even before that due to his good conduct. In his words, “No favour has been shown to Dutt. His jail term has been reduced as per the prison manual. In fact, identical concessions are extended to all convicts, Dutt is no exception.”
While explaining the rules of jail in detail, the bureaucrat made it clear that a prisoner’s sentence period can be decreased by 114 days considering the work he has done in addition to good conduct and behavior.
In the words of the bureaucrat, “We took note of his good behavior. During the period he was out of jail on parole or furlough, his behavior was satisfactory, he never indulged in any illegal or criminal activity. The reduction in jail term is routine and is extended to each and every convict.”
He also agreed that Sanjay’s imprisonment period was controversial, especially at the point when he had been out on parole.
He added, “It was alleged that the home department was granting him special favours but that was not the case. The jail administration was extra careful while disposing of his applications for parole or furlough.”
