Family, friends cheer reprieve given to Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya describes as a "Raksha Bandhan gift" the SC order granting him interim bail in the Mumbai serial blasts case, as his friends and well wishers expressed relief over the reprieve.

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya on Monday described as a "Raksha Bandhan gift" the Supreme Court order granting him interim bail in the Mumbai serial blasts case, as his friends and well wishers expressed relief over the reprieve.

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"I consider the court's decision as a Raksha Bandhan gift and I am very happy and relieved. I am thankful to God and the judiciary that we could see this day on Monday. After what all we have gone through, we have come to this day," a beaming Priya said.

"I thank everybody who have been very supportive and understanding towards our stand," Priya, also a Congress MP from Maharashtra, said.

The actor's friend Bunty Walia expressed hope that the the arrangement will continue so that Dutt "can get back to his work."

"We are happy...The film industry has always supported him, he is a great human being, he has also been in the forefront of all charitable causes," he said.

Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who had earlier appeared on behalf of the actor in the case, said the apex court might have taken into account the fact that Dutt was not provided with the copy of the judgement so that he can file an appeal against his six year sentence.

Moreover, whenever he was released by the court in the past, he did not take any action which created trouble for fellow citizens, Sibal added. Dutt was sentenced to six years imprisonment by the TADA court in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.