Sanjay Dutt with his familyVarinder Chawla
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt is likely to return to Pune's Yerawada Central Jail (YCJ) later on 10 January, after his plea to extend the furlough by 14 days was rejected by the Maharashtra government on Saturday.
"I have been ordered to surrender and I will follow that," the actor said on Saturday about returning to prison.
Even though furlough is a leave given to the prisoners every year for 14 days to keep in touch with their family and society, the "Munnabhai MBBS" actor has been granted with this discretionary leave more than once during the last year. Prisoners can extend the furlough time to another 14 days, by submitting an application citing proper reasons.
The actor was granted furlough in October last year, which was extended for the treatment of his leg. He was also given a month-long parole, which was extended twice after his wife Manyata Dutt fell ill.
Even though his latest furlough of 14 days ended on Thursday, he did not return to jail and stayed with his family for the past three days, as his extension application was pending in court.
Minister of State for Home, Ram Shinde, had earlier informed the media that the actor doesn't have to surrender until the court has announced its decision on the matter.
Reports suggest that the actor has spent almost 118 days out of jail between May 2013 and May 2014.
The frequent parole application by the actor has often stirred controversy and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had stated that the government will not favour anyone or discriminate on the matter.
The actor was convicted in the 1993 Bombay Blasts Case for illegal possession of an AK-56 rifle and was awarded five-year jail term.
