HC reserves orders on Nalini's petition

Chennai, Sep 19: The Madras High Court on Friday, Sep 19 reserved orders on writ petition filed by Nalini, life convict in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, seeking premature release.

After completion of the arguments, Justice S Nagamuthu, reserved orders without mentioning the date. While continuing his arguments on the second day, Janata Party(JP) President Subramanian Swamy submitted that, Nalini, undergoing life sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, cannot not seek relief after relief and the power of pardon can be used only once. Based on her plea, her death penalty was commuted to life sentence, he added. Hence, Nalini cannot seek premature release and there was no provision in law, Dr Swamy told Justice Mr Nagamuthu.

Originally, Dr Swamy had filed a petition to implead himself as a party in the case to oppose grant of any relief to Nalini. The judge, who rejected his plea, however said, Dr Swamy could assist the court.

Referring to the submission of Additional Solicitor General M Ravindran yesterday that the Centre has no role to play in the matter, Dr Swamy said Nalini's death sentence was commuted to life only after the intervention of All India Congress Committee (AICC) President and United Progressive Alliance(UPA) Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. Hence, the Centre should not wash off its hands, file its affidavit and make its stand clear on the issue, he added.

UNI