Rajiv murder convict Nalini moves HC for early release

Vellore, April 30: Nailini Sriharan, who is serving a life sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, moved the Madras High Court on Wednesday seeking an early release. Incidentally, the fresh plea comes weeks after her emotional meeting with Priyanka Gandhi. Nalini’s lawyer Duraimurugan submitted the plea on her behalf. He maintained that it’s a pure coincidence that the plea comes after the highly publicised meeting with Priyanka. The plea has been submitted on the basis of Nalini having completed 18 years of imprisonment with good conduct, police sources said. Interestingly, Nailini’s lawyer Doraisamy in an interview to the Colombo-based Tamil language publication, Virakesari Illustrated Weekly published last week, had said that Rajiv Gandhi’s daughter Priyanka Vadra has forgiven the killers, and consequently Sonia Gandhi, her mother and Rajiv Gandhi’s widow, also would have. Referring to the sensational meeting Priyanka had with Nalini Sriharan, who is serving a life sentence for her role in the assassination at the maximum security jail in Vellore, on March 19, Doraiswamy said that when Nalini broke down into tears and sought forgiveness, Priyanka held her hand and said: “Don’t worry. I’ve already forgotten everything.” It remains to be seen whether Priyanka’s gesture of forgiving Nalini will have any bearing on the case. However, legally speaking the gesture cannot play a role, but it for sure has helped bring the case back to limelight and the momentum gained may be of assistance.
Zeenews Bureau
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