The Madras High Court recently granted the life convict in the case of Rajiv Gandhi assassination, Nalini Sriharan parole of 30 days so that she could attend her daughter Harithra’s wedding.
Nalini walked out of the Vellore prison in Tamil Nadu in an orange and red silk saree and was surrounded by policewomen. Her mother who is a retired nurse received her outside the jail. Her daughter is currently in the UK studying medicine and will join her next week.
Nalini Not Allowed To Meet Politicians And Media
The authorities have allowed Nalini to stay out of the jail for a month only on few conditions. During this period she cannot leave Vellore or is allowed to meet/speak to any media people or politicians. In the hearing at the Madras High Court, Nalini argued for herself and asked for a leave of six months.
In her emotional appeal, she argued that she was punished wrongly in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. In her appeal, Nalini said, “I could not look after my daughter. I did not fulfill my motherly responsibilities. I did not fulfill my responsibilities to my father before he died. Now I’ve to meet my family for my daughter’s wedding. I’ve to arrange for finances.” Earlier she was granted parole of 1 day last year for attending the last rites of her father, 92-YO Sankara Narayanan in Chennai.
According to Nalini, last year she had to pay Rs.16,000 for police security. But this time the court has exempted her from this payment saying that she is not a woman with a source of income. The parole order was given by Justice MM Sundaresh who explained to Nalini that according to government rules only a leave of a maximum 30 days is allowed.
Nalini To Avail Leave For First Time In 28 Years
Nalini will avail leave for the first time in 28 years since she was put behind bars for a life sentence after allegedly sheltering the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi. Initially, she was given a death sentence but after intervention by Sonia Gandhi post the birth of her daughter in jail, her sentence was commuted to life.
Incidentally, her husband Murugan is also housed in the same jail and is serving a life sentence. Six other people are serving a life sentence for their role in the assassination of the former prime minister of India by an LTTE suicide bomber near Sriperumpudur on May 21, 1991.
