Cops oppose parole for Nalini, cite threat to her life

CHENNAI: Leave alone premature release, life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case Nalini Sriharan's plan to go out of jail for a month even on 'leave' looks impossible, as jail authorities have strongly opposed the plea.
Raising safety as well as public order issues, Vellore jail authorities objected to Nalini's plea for one month's 'ordinary leave' to be with her aged and bedridden father, Sankaranarayanan, who retired as inspector of police.According to Nalini's counsel P Pugalenthi, her father was ill and it was her desire to be with him during his last days. Last month she moved the Madras high court seeking 'leave' for at least one month.
On Tuesday, superintendent of Vellore prison V Karuppannan filed a counter-affidavit saying: "Field inquiries revealed that the health condition of Sankaranarayanan, father of life convict no. 810, Nalini, w/o Sriharan, is normal, and his elder son Manoharan and daughter-in-law Vasuki are taking care of him very well. Her (Nalini) father is not suffering from illness."
Noting that Nalini faced threat of assault at Vikiramasingapuram village, the counter-affidavit further said since she was involved and convicted in the assassination case she might face threats from political parties and relatives of people who died in the May 1991 tragedy. "If she is released on ordinary leave, people belonging to political parties and relatives of deceased may get aggrieved, and there is every possibility and likelihood of assault on her," it said.
Also, with general elections round the corner, politicians would visit her and utilise her for their political gains, counter-affidavit said. Apprehending law and order problems, the Vikiramasingapuram police inspector had raised objections to the proposal to release Nalini on leave, it said.
The counter-affidavit said there were seven grounds for grant of 'ordinary leave' and Nalini's claims did not fall under any category to make her eligible for 'ordinary leave'. It pointed out her leave application was not accompanied by names of sureties willing to execute a bond for her release and care during the leave period.