Tamil Nadu lawmakers for probe into Nalini having a phone in jail

Chennai, Apr 22 (ANI): Tamil Nadu lawmakers have demanded a thorough probe into the reported seizure of a mobile phone from the cell of Nalini Sriharan, accused in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"She has violated the Jail Manual rules after she was found in possession of a mobile phone. She also got two more SIM cards. It has been revealed that for the past four years she was actually making calls to London, Canada and therefore some foreigners were in touch with the lady. We sense that some conspiracy is going on as the LTTE has got their network throughout the world," said Gnanasekaran, a member of the Tamil Nadu Assembly from Vellore.

He further insisted that her Class 'A' status in the jail should be cancelled and she should be confined to a solitary cell.

However, the pro-Sri Lankan Tamil outfits termed it a case of foul play and accused the police of stalling Nalini's release.

"We expect a foul play to stop her early release because a woman prisoner cannot get a chance to get a mobile phone or SIM card. And also the jail authorities did not seize the mobile phone from her possession. They took it from the toilet or some place. They also claimed seizure of two SIM cards. This is clearly a case of foul play," said lawmaker Ravi Kumar, who represents the regional Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a pro-Sri Lankan Tamil party.

He called for a judicial probe in the matter.

Nalini has been 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.

Nalini's original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Congress President Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for her after she had had a baby daughter. (ANI)