A smiling Dutt shook hands with police officials, hugged a few of them and waved to scores of journalists as he walked out of Yerwada prison in the western city of Pune and headed home to Mumbai.
“I have full faith in the judiciary ... and the country,” he later told reporters outside his home in India’s film and finance capital. “I will abide by the law and whatever the decision of the court is.
“It is a long battle ahead (for me),” said the visibly tired Dutt, who will soon have to return to his cell.
“I thank all my fans who have supported me and the media,” the 48-year-old film action hero added. “I love you all and please pray for me.” Dutt was last month sentenced to six years in jail for possessing illegal weapons received from plotters of the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which killed 257 people and injured 800 more.
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered Dutt’s release on a technicality, as the Mumbai court had failed to provide him with a copy of its full judgment.
The popular movie star must turn himself in again to the court when his lawyers receive a copy of the judgment, which could take up to a month.—AFP