Sanjay Dutt released from Yerwada Jail: As it happened

Pic Courtesy: ANI/Twitter

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt walks out a free man from Pune's Yerwada Jail. The actor was convicted in 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

25 February 2016

15:19 IST

I would request to the press, I am convicted in the arms act, not in the bomb blasts case. Please don't portray me as that-Sanjay Dutt

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

15:15 IST

I am not a terrorist, don't link my name with 1993 Mumbai blasts case. I was only convicted under Arms Act: Dutt

15:13 IST

My biggest relief was when court said 'you are not a terrorist'. Miss my father who wanted to hear this all his life pic.twitter.com/ZubEKXKQqC

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

Salman mera chhota bhaai hai aur hamesha rahega. Mai pray karta hoon ki wo issey bhi bada star baney-Sanjay Dutt pic.twitter.com/BvDN8h2LK3

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

15:11 IST

Salman Khan is like my younger brother and shall remain one forever: Sanjay Dutt

15:10 IST

Mumbai: Sanjay Dutt with his family outside his residence pic.twitter.com/2Qd7WSN4ej

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

15:09 IST

Sanjay Dutt's kids embrace their father while he addresses the media.

15:07 IST

I gave the money earned Rs. 440 in the jail to my wife, as a good husband-Sanjay Dutt pic.twitter.com/Jli5Hulsc1

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

15:06 IST

She is not my better half, but my best half. Manyata is my strength-Sanjay Dutt pic.twitter.com/cbEp5u8cmu

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

15:06 IST

Being a celebrity didn't help: Dutt

15:04 IST

Mai jab jail se bahaar aaya, maine dharti choomi. Aur tirange ko salute kiya-Sanjay Dutt pic.twitter.com/H1I9wiRTW6

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

Mai Hindustan ki dharti ko pyaar karta hoon, wo tiranga meri zindagi hai. I am proud to be an Indian-Sanjay Dutt

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

15:03 IST

I am proud to be an Indian, that is why I kissed the earth and saluted the tricolour when I came out: Sanjay Dutt

15:03 IST

To be free is an amazing feeling: Sanjay Dutt

15:00 IST

I wanted to taste freedom for 23 long years but the feeling is yet to sync in: Sanjay Dutt

15:00 IST

Dutt remembers his father.

14:57 IST

I was looking forward to this freedom, have been waiting for it for 23 long years, says Dutt.

14:55 IST

Sanjay Dutt to address the media.

14:54 IST

Sanjay Dutt and wife Manyata pose for photo-op after his release.

14:51 IST

Actor waves at cameras.

14:50 IST

Dutt comes out with wife Manyata to thank his fans.

13:37 IST

Wife Manyata stays by his side along with close friends.

13:36 IST

Dutt overwhelmed with huge crowd outside his house. Fans gather just to catch a glimpse of the actor.

13:30 IST

Sanjay Dutt reaches home in Bandra.

13:29 IST

Huge crowd gathers outside Dutt's residence; fans rejoice his release.

13:10 IST

Dutt likely to reach home shortly.

12:59 IST

Celebrations outside #SanjayDutt 's residence in Pali Hill(Mumbai) pic.twitter.com/RAxgQAoXdc

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

12:48 IST

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt expresses happiness over Dutt's release.

Homecoming !!!
Lord, I'm one, Lord, I'm two, Lord,
I'm three, Lord, I'm four,
Lord I'm five hundred miles ( NAAM) pic.twitter.com/s8H68d1dZL

— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) February 25, 2016

12:32 IST

Dutt reaches Badakabrastan.

Sanjay Dutt in Mumbai's Marine Lines to visit grave of his mother Nargis pic.twitter.com/9fI0QDjmHo

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

12:21 IST

Actor on way to Badakabrastan to visit his mother's grave.

12:10 IST

Bombay High Court to hear PIL opposing Sanjay Dutt's early release on Monday, saying 'no urgency' in this matter, reports ANI.

12:03 IST

Dutt leaves from the Siddhivinayak temple premises.

Sanjay Dutt leaves from Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple pic.twitter.com/7P1IO30LyW

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

12:03 IST

Overwhelming crowd as Sanjay Dutt reaches Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/v3ZO5Kwji3

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

12:02 IST

Fans gather as Sanjay Dutt reaches Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/MFwiYSv9pG

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

11:58 IST

Dutt offers prayers at the Siddhivinayak temple. 

11:55 IST

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani accompanies Dutt.

11:54 IST

Actor seeks Ganpati bappa's blessing amid huge chaos outside the temple.

11:53 IST

Fans gather outside the temple to catch his glimpse. 

11:41 IST

Sanjay Dutt reaches Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai

11:37 IST

Dutt headed towards famous Siddhivinayak temple.

11:36 IST

Sanjay Dutt arrives at Mumbai Airport after release from Pune's Yerwada Jail pic.twitter.com/htHc522KmB

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

Sanjay Dutt arrives at Mumbai Airport after release from Pune's Yerwada Jail pic.twitter.com/AMNKjK1jLQ

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

#SanjayDutt with wife Manyata at Mumbai Airport after release from Pune's Yerwada Jail pic.twitter.com/bvlRMSMlwo

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

Sanjay Dutt at Mumbai Airport after release from Pune's Yerwada Jail pic.twitter.com/TFHMyX58Ge

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

11:29 IST

The actor is accompanied by wife Manyata and B-Town friends. 

11:27 IST

Dutt reaches Mumbai, greets fans.

11:04 IST

Sanjay Dutt reaches Mumbai.

10:40 IST

Four bodyguards sent by Salman Khan to receive Dutt outside Mumbai Airport.

Four bodyguards sent by Salman Khan to receive #SanjayDutt outside Mumbai Airport pic.twitter.com/QOC3wh1yGO

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

10:27 IST

Fans rejoice at Dutt's release, gather outside his residence in Mumbai.

10:24 IST

The actor is expected to reach Mumbai shortly.

09:52 IST

After visiting the famous Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai, the actor is likely to seek blessings at his mother's grave at Marine Lines.

09:52 IST

Sanjay had already served 18 months of his sentence as an undertrial at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail earlier.

09:38 IST

The Bollywood actor was convicted by the Supreme Court of India in 2013 under the Arms Act for possessing a prohibited weapon in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. 

09:32 IST

Dutt is expected to land at the Santacruz Airport, Mumbai around 11 am. 

09:32 IST

Obviously I'm very happy that #SanjayDutt is back: Rajkumar Hirani, Director at Pune Airport. pic.twitter.com/8dNFBMhKkR

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

09:31 IST

Sanjay is expected to arrive at his residence in Mumbai--The Emperial Heights.

09:22 IST

Sanjay Dutt to fly out on a charter plane.

09:20 IST

Bollywood actor released from Yerwada Jail after 42 months.

09:19 IST

Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani accompanied Dutt, says he is very happy at actor's release.

09:18 IST

There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends: Sanjay Dutt at Pune Airport after his release from Pune's Yerwada Jail pic.twitter.com/r2FLyWybqR

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

09:08 IST

Sanjay Dutt enroute Mumbai.

09:05 IST

Dutt likely to visit Siddhivinayak temple once he reaches Mumbai.

09:04 IST

Sanjay Dutt credits fans for supporting him during his difficult times. 

09:02 IST

Dutt was accompanied with wife Manyata at Pune airport after release from Pune's Yerwada Jail.

09:00 IST

There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends: Sanjay Dutt at Pune irport after his release from Pune's Yerwada Jail.

08:56 IST

Sanjay Dutt salutes the national flag atop Yerwada Jail after his release.

08:54 IST

Sanjay Dutt looked back at the Jail and touched the ground once he stepped out of the Jail in Pune. 

08:53 IST

Sanjay Dutt, convicted in 1993 Mumbai blasts case, released from Pune's Yerwada Jail.