Family, friends and fans celebrate Sanjay Dutts bail

Family, friends and fans of Sanjay Dutt burst into celebrations after the Supreme Court granted the actor interim bail in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

New Delhi/Pune, Aug 20 : Family, friends and fans of Sanjay Dutt burst into celebrations after the Supreme Court granted the actor interim bail in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

The Bollywood actor, who has been sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment by the TADA court for violating the Arms Act at the height of the 1993 communal riots in Mumbai, had filed a bail plea at the apex court, earlier this month.

Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya thanked God and the judiciary for granting him the bail.

"I am very thankful to all of you who have been very supportive and have been very understanding to our stand. I am very grateful to God and judiciary that we have seen this day today," said Priya.

Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal welcomed the court's decision.

"I am very happy that Sanjay Dutt is out on bail today and want that no political party should politicise the issue as the matter is sub-judice," said Sibal.

Hundreds of fans of the actor, who gathered outside the Yerwada Jail in Pune where Dutt is imprisoned, expressed relief over the court's decision.

"We are here from seven in the morning to catch a glimpse of Sanjay Dutt," said Akash, a fan.

"We are very happy. Take Sanjay Dutt out of the jail as soon as possible. We want to see his new film releases," said Ashish, another fan of Dutt.

Dutt will be released after the prison officials get a copy of the Supreme Court order. The bail is valid till the time the special TADA court provides him with a copy of the judgment.

Immediately after getting the copy of the judgement, Dutt will have to surrender, the apex court said.

The TADA court has indicated that copies of the detailed judgement may be given to Dutt and others by August 24, subject to them being ready.

Defence lawyer Mukul Rohatgi said the court has granted bail on the condition that he will report to the CBI office in Mumbai every week and will not abuse their grant of liberty and bail.

After getting the copy of the judgement, Dutt can apply for regular bail.

Dutt is expected to be released on bail by tomorrow.

The court said that Dutt's passport will remain with the trial court and he will not leave the country without its permission.

Dutt has already spent nearly 16 months in prison before his release on bail in 1996.

ANI