Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 | Last Update : 09:02 PM IST

  Sanjay Dutt walks free, says ‘I am not a terrorist’

Sanjay Dutt walks free, says ‘I am not a terrorist’

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Feb 26, 2016, 4:15 pm IST
Updated : Feb 26, 2016, 4:15 pm IST

It was an emotional day for actor Sanjay Dutt, who was released from Yerawada Jail on Thursday after serving a 42-month term for illegal possession of weapons in a case linked with the 1993 blasts cas

Sanjay Dutt with wife Manyata and children Shahraan (left) and Iqra during a press conference in Mumbai. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)
 Sanjay Dutt with wife Manyata and children Shahraan (left) and Iqra during a press conference in Mumbai. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

It was an emotional day for actor Sanjay Dutt, who was released from Yerawada Jail on Thursday after serving a 42-month term for illegal possession of weapons in a case linked with the 1993 blasts case. The actor, who addressed the media after his release urged the media that they should not portray him as a terrorist as he had already been exonerated from terror charges and was convicted only for possession of firearms. Dutt also said that he believed he should not have had to serve the jail term.

The actor said he was eagerly waiting for his release and could not sleep and eat properly for the last four days before his release. He said, “It’s very tough for me to understand what is happening. I know it will take some time for me to convince myself that I am free. It’s been 23 years since I have been waiting to remove the terrorist tag from my name. Finally everything is over now. I suffered, which I didn’t deserve. To be free is the most amazing feeling, I miss my father a lot today on this day. He would be the happiest person (sic).”

He made a personal request to the media to not address him as a terrorist. He said, “My biggest relief was when court said ‘you are not a terrorist’. I would request to the press (to remember that) I am convicted under the Arms Act, not in the bomb blasts case. Please don’t portray me as a terrorist.”

Dutt was out of the jail by 8.30 am after finishing all the formalities. After his release from jail, he flew to Mumbai in a chartered plane. In the morning, he saluted the tri-colour atop the prison building and bent down to touch the ground. He met his wife Manyata and director Raju Hirani at Pune airport. After which he landed in Mumbai airport around 11 am where his friend Bunty Walia greeted him. Before going home, he visited Siddhivinayak Temple and his mother Nargis' grave.

“I am proud to be an Indian. That is why I kissed the Earth and saluted the tricolour when I came out. I am child of this Earth and for the rest of my life I will do everything to make my nation proud of me.”

Talking about his wife Manyata, he said, “She is not my better half, but my best half. I even gave Rs 440 I earned in prison to my wife. I want spend time with my children and family.” Manyata broke down and said, “I always wanted to convey to him what I was going through when he was in jail, but whenever I went to meet him, I felt his suffering was more than mine. During these difficult times I have learnt that one should never give up, be it outside or inside jail.”