Sanjay Dutt's repeated outings a factor for rejecting pardon

Mumbai, Sept 24: Sanjay Dutt's repeated outings on parole and furlough may have gone against him when the Governor of Maharashtra decided on his pardon plea. The actor who has been convicted in an arms case relating to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts has already spent 118 days out of jail either on parole or furlough.

The Governor of Maharashtra before whom the pardon plea was pending since 2013 made it clear that granting him pardon would set a very bad precedent. The petition was filed by former judge of the Supreme Court, Markandey Katju seeking pardon for Dutt.

Wrong precendent:

While deciding on the pardon plea, the Governor took into account the opinion by the Maharashtra Home Department. The Home Deparment had made it clear to the Governor that granting him pardon would set a very bad precedent. Moreover, he has been convicted by the Supreme Court and if pardon is granted then it would set a bad precedent.

However, there were other factors that were taken into account when the plea was being decided. Dutt has been in the midst of controversy ever since he was sent to jail. Dutt's jail term ends in February 2016.

However, since he was sent to jail in the year 2013 by the Supreme Court in just one year, he was out on parole and furlough for 118 days. The actor is currently out on parole for his daughter's nose surgery.

Taking into account the numerous protests in the wake of him being granted parole every now and then, the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis had called for a report from the Yerawada jail authorities where Dutt is lodged.

OneIndia News