TN Govt to pronounce verdict on Nalini's release

Chennai, Mar 29: The Tamil Nadu Government will deliver a verdict on the premature release of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassin Nalini Sriharan on Monday, Mar 28.

However, it has been reported that the decison might take some more time as Cheif Minister M Karunanidhi had earlier hinted that any decision on such a sensitive matter has to be taken with care.

On Mar 11, the State Government had said it would take a final call on Sriharan's plea in two weeks time.

The state government also submitted the Prison Advisory Board report to the High Court.

"Hopefully, we should be able to report the decision before Mar 29, but the truth of the matter is the government has asked for certain additional details from the board and collector," said P S Raman, Advocate General of the Tamil Nadu Government.

"For some factors, beyond the government's control, if the decision making process takes a little longer we may have to ask the court for some more time," added Raman.

Nalini, who is undergoing life imprisonment, is lodged in the Vellore Central Jail.

In her petition, she said she was entitled for release as far as 2005, as she had completed 14 years in jail.

Nalini was convicted on 16 counts of murder, and found guilty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code on all counts. She was also convicted under Section 3 of TADA and Section 120-B of the IPC, dealing with conspiracy.

Sriharan's original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for Nalini after she had a baby daughter.

In Sep 2009, Nalini went on a hunger strike demanding that he be set free.

ANI