Actor Sanjay Dutt has no reason to be rattled by the protest against the permission granted to him to smoke his favourite cigarettes in jail. His lawyers can certainly point to a controversial precedent set by the Kerala government in lifting the ban on smoking in the state jails recently.

However, it is being pointed out that the lifting of the ban is tantamount to gross ‘human rights violation’ as the cells are often overcrowded. Since the cells are locked from outside, non-smokers will also have no alternative but to inhale the smoke.

Smoking was banned in Kerala prisons in April 2005 based on a high court directive banning smoking in public places. In fact, it is being pointed out that the absence of cigars and beedis presented an opportunity for prisoners to kick the habit. Jail officials were also happy to see a smoke-free cell rather than prisoners clashing over smoke. “Imagine the number of remand prisoners, almost thrice the sanctioned strength and smoke can create real trouble. What if they smuggle in even drugs under the cover of cigarettes? ” asked a jail official.

The new order owed its origin to a visit by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to the Kannur jail where a large number of political prisoners are lodged. Himself representing Thalassery in the legislature, Mr Balakrishnan was touched by the pleas of certain smoking prisoners, apparently belonging to his own party, the CPM. The minister said the inability to smoke was creating severe mental problems.

Appeal in SC next week
New Delhi, Agencies: Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt would file early next week his appeal in the Supreme Court  against his conviction and sentence by the TADA court under the Arms Act. Dutt has been sentenced to six-year rigorous imprisonment and is presently lodged in Yerawada jail in Maharashtra.

He was expected to file his appeal against the TADA court judgement on Saturday. However, the special leave petition (SLP) is still under preparation and is likely to be filed early next week.

Dutt was the last to be convicted in Mumbai serial bomb blast case  which had a total of 120  accused, out of which about 12 have been sentenced to death. The appeal is being prepared by a battery of leading lawyers and the appeal will be accompanied by an application for the suspension of sentence and his release on bail.

Dutt was found in possession of illegal arms, including AK-56 rifle, and also having contacts with some of the known underworld dons who are the main convicts in the case.

Over 200 lives were lost in the Mumbai serial bomb blast which had rocked the metropolis in March 1993.