Sanjay Dutt’s release before the completion of his five-year sentence in the 1993 serial bomb blast case, He was allowed to walk out of the jail eight months before. A bench of Justices S C Dharamadhikari and Bharati Dangre observed that the state government had succeeded in backing its claims of impartiality in the case with valid documents from the Home department. A PIL was filed against this stating that only Sanjay Dutt has been granted the favour of parole and not others who also deserve it. The state government, however, denied the charge. There were reportedly no violations by the government in releasing Sanjay Dutt.
The bench said, “We found nothing contrary in the records submitted by the state Home department and the explanation offered by the state. No violations or abuse of discretionary powers were detected. The public or the inmates themselves must not get the impression that the authorities grant favours in allowing parole and furlough.”
Earlier as well when the actor was allowed parole, all the procedure was followed properly and the reason was also stated. The bench too noted that none of the inmates from the Yerwada prison had made any allegations or complaints alleging that their rights were breached and that undue favours were granted to Dutt. It was also then said that PILs should not target a particular person, “A Public Interest litigation must not become a public(ity) interest litigation,” the bench said.
The High court said, “The allegations made in the PIL have not been substantiated. Thus, this matter deserves to be closed.” Sanjay Dutt walked out on 25th February 2016.
