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Sanjay Dutt, or Sanju Baba as he is lovingly called, has been released for a month on a fresh parole. The reason is his wife Manyata Dutt is unwell, and he wanted to take care of her.

This would be the third time Sanjay Dutt will be granted parole in the past three months. Dutt was granted the first parole for a fortnight on medical grounds, October 1, 2013, which was later extended by another fifteen days. He returned to jail on October 30, 2013.

In Mumbai, Manyata’s doctor said a tumorous growth in her body was causing concern. “She has complained of chest pain, and sudden weight loss. During tests we detected a large tumor growth on her liver. Manyata is also suffering from irregular heartbeats, and the tumorous growth is major concern,” said Dr. Ajay Chaughule, a senior heart and cardiothoracic, lung transplant surgeon at Global Hospital.

Dr. Chaughule added that Manyata had earlier gone to Lilavati Hospital, where she was advised to undergo angiography to ascertain the condition of her heart, after which she decided to take a second opinion from him.

However, things went nasty when Manyata reportedly attended a film premiere Thursday night and her photos were splashed by various news websites. She was seen sporting jeans and T-shirt.

Now the month’s parole for Sanjay Dutt on ground that his wife was ill, apparently approved by the Pune divisional commissioner, has evoked strong and serious reactions from various quarters. A group of Republican Party of India (RPI) activists Saturday demonstrated outside the Yerawada Central Jail, protesting the actor’s release. Waving black flags and banners, RPI activists led by district chief Sandeep Sasane shouted slogans demanding that Dutt should not be granted parole, and treated at par with other prisoners.

With all this happening, the State Home Minister R R Patil has sought a report from the concerned departments, to ascertain whether Dutt is eligible for a month’s parole.

Manyata’s close friends have come to her defense saying that she has a lung tumor, and that her operation would take place once Sanjay Dutt arrives.

Sanjay is presently serving the remaining forty two months of his five-year sentence for his involvement in the March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Having served eighteen months in jail before his trial began, Dutt started his stint in jail on May 16, 2013.

All said and done, we just want to request everyone concerned to stop making this an political issue. Let’s not aggravate the agony and pain that the Dutt family is already going through. If Sanjay Dutt deserves to be given a parole, kindly grant him one. If not, don’t drag this issue for political gains.

Here’s wishing and praying that Manyata Dutt gets well soon.[/tps_header]

PHOTOS IN QUESTION: MANYATA DUTT AT R… RAJKUMAR SCREENING