Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Convict Nalini starts hunger-strike, demands release
What's the story
Nalini Sriharan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, went on a hunger strike on Saturday demanding release, reports ANI. In a letter to prison officials, she reminded that she has written several petitions to state government. She has been in prison since 1991, the year former Prime Minister was murdered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Nalini's husband Murugan is also lodged in jail.
What happened
Reportedly, Murugan was sent to solitary confinement, he protested
Separately, an NIE report suggested Nalini and Murugan decided to go on a strike after the latter was sent to solitary confinement. Last week, he was moved from his cell at Vellore Central Prison after authorities allegedly confiscated a mobile phone from him. He started fasting immediately and got support from his wife on Saturday, the report added.
Lawyer's version
Murugan's lawyer claimed he was set up, tortured, denied amenities
After meeting Murugan, his advocate P Pugalenthi claimed the former was tortured. "The prison authorities moved Murugan to solitary confinement last Saturday. For four days, he was locked up within the cell without allowing him to move out. He was also denied basic amenities in the prison," he added. The lawyer also alleged that prison authorities had hatched the conspiracy.
Quote
According to lawyer, Murugan wrote to Tamil Nadu's CM
"Murugan has written a letter to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on the torture he is being subjected to in the prison. The prison officials did not allow him to hand a copy of it to me when I visited him," the lawyer said.
Letter
In fact, the lawyer sought CM's help too
Subsequently, Pugalenthi wrote to CM E. Palaniswami appealing him to intervene in the matter and save Murugan. He alleged Murugan was framed at a time when there's a noise seeking his early release. The advocate said a top prison official, on whose behest Murugan was allegedly confined, even told his subordinates to let the convict "die" if he continues his fast.
Parole
Earlier this year, Nalini got parole to attend daughter's wedding
To recall, Nalini was last released from jail on July 25 to attend the wedding of her daughter Harithra, who was born inside prison and is a medical practitioner in London. Though she was granted parole for 30 days, it eventually ended after 51 days on September 15. She was also granted 12-hour parole in 2016 to attend the last rites of her father.