Dutt back home but living on a prayer

MUMBAI: The three-day delay in Sanjay Dutt's release from jail despite getting bail from the Supreme Court seemed like eternity to his fans and family. But the actor can still count himself lucky; for, there are hundreds across jails in the country who languish behind bars for months even after the orders for their release on bail have been signed by a judge.
Legal experts say many undertrials are unable to find people to stand surety for them.Most such accused come from weaker sections of society and find it impossible to get, besides the surety amount, a person having a permanent address and a ration card who will vouch for them in court.
The nature of the problem is further complicated in a city like Mumbai where there are millions of migrants. They leave their families behind and when they are caught, even for a petty crime and sent to jail, they find it nearly impossible to arrange for a bona fide city resident to come to court and bail them out. "Nobody wants to get into the hassle of a ‘police business' for a stranger," Prakash Wagh, advocate of a person in jail for six months despite getting bail, said.
A more high-profile example is Ravindra Kantrulu. He was branded a serial killer and accused of four murders that took place between November 2006 and January 2007. "He is a ragpicker. But he was released on a bail amount of Rs 25,000," advocate Sushan Kunjuraman said, adding: "There is no way that this man can get that cash." The inability to meet bail requirements also means jails become overcrowded.
kartikeya.tripathi@timesgroup.com