Signature campaign for release of Rajiv case convict

Chennai, Jan 17 (UNI) A signature campaign seeking the release of Nalini, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, has been launched by a group of Tamil writers and poets here.

Nalini, one of the prime accused in the high-profile case, was awarded death sentence by a TADA Court. However, it was later commuted to life imprisonment based on her mercy petition and she had been incarcerated at the Vellore Central Prison for nearly 16 years.

Nalini's husband, Murugan, who was also one of the prime accused in the case and facing the gallows, had also been lodged in the same prison.

Meanwhile, well-known lyricist Thamarai had issued a statement that a signature campaign had been launched by Tamil writers seeking Nalini's release.

She said Nalini delivered a baby girl in the prison in 1992 and took care of it for two years. Later, the child was transfered to the custody of Murugan's parents living in Jaffna in Sri Lanka.

Now, the girl, Arithra, had turned 14 and wanted to visit her parents and pursue her education in Chennai city, but she had been continuously denied visa by the Union Government, Ms Thamarai claimed.

Keeping in view the future of the girl who had 'been deprived of her parent's love and care from a very young age,' the government should come forward to release Nalini, she said.

Stating a memorandum would be presented to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the end of the campaign, Ms Thamarai appealed to all film actors, writers, sculptors and artists to join the campaign.

UNI