Swamy opposes premature release of Nalini in HC

Chennai, Aug 26 (UNI) Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy today appeared before Madras High Court and opposed the premature release of Nalini, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, stating that her counsel has ''suppressed facts'', while seeking premature release.

In a surprise move, Dr Swamy, who tried in vain to implead himself in the case, appeared before Justice S Nagamuthu, hearing Nalini's petition and complained that many facts have been suppressed in the case.

He said the life convict's counsel has not given full details of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and the citations made by the Supreme Court, while confirming the death sentence awarded to Nalini.

Reacting to this, the judge said he would pass orders according to the materials placed before him and if the counsel had suppressed facts, it would only be a loss to them and asked Dr Swamy to make his submissions at the time of hearing on August 29.

Accepting this, Dr Swamy said he would file his written submissions at the time of hearing on August 29.

In the impleading petition, he said that he has genuine and reasonable apprehensions that if Nalini was prematurely released, serious prejudice would be caused to the cause of justice and the public interest would suffer.

His petition was, however, dismissed by the Madras High Court, after the Tamil Nadu Government told the Court that it would oppose the premature release of Nalini. The court, however, permitted Dr Swamy to mention his grievances when the case was taken up for hearing.

Nalini, the prime accused in the case was awarded death sentence by the designated court and the same was confirmed by the Supreme Court. However, thanks to the intervention of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, her death sentence was commuted to life.

UNI XR/WS RJ SSC1318