Dutt's release order issued, to be freed tomorrow

Mumbai, Nov 28 (UNI) The designated TADA court today issued the release order of cine actor Sanjay Dutt after completing the formalites but the actor will be released only tomorrow as the jail timing for releasing a convict was up today.

Dutt, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court yesterday, was asked to furnish a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh and surety by one person for a like amount.

Advocate Satish Maneshinde, appearing on behalf of the actor today afternoon, produced the copy of the apex Court order before TADA Judge P D Kode who asked him to furnish the bail amount.

Pankaj Kharbanda, a film producer and former secretary of the actor, stood as a surety for the actor.

Judge Kode, while accepting the surety, directed the Superintendent of the Yerawada Jail to release Sanjay Dutt from the jail.

Besides Dutt, the court has also issued the release order of his associate, Yusuf Nalwalla, who is also lodged in the same jail.

The Apex Court has also granted bail to sixteen others, including two female convicts -- Zaibunissa Kazi and Mobina Baya Bhiwandiwala.

Their release order could not be issued today as the formalities are yet to be completed.

UNI