Ending months of uncertainty over the state government?s stand about the possible premature release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Nalini Sriharan, the government informed the Madras High Court on Monday that the Prison Advisory Board constituted to decide on the request has rejected her plea?a decision which the state has accepted.
There were serious speculations about the nature of the report prepared by the advisory board with many claiming that it was positive for Nalini?who appealed that she be set free after over 19 years of continuous imprisonment since her arrest in early 90s. However, clearing the air on Monday, state advocate general PS Raman informed the court that the board has rejected her plea on eight counts and that the government has decided to accept the report. An order has been issued in this regard.
The present case?that is being heard by a division Dench comprising justices Elipe Dharma Rao and K K Sasidharan?deals with a petition filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy challenging Nalini?s right to plead for remission, arguing she has already received one when the death sentence initially awarded was reduced to life in prison.
