Decision on Nalini’s release likely today

Tamil Nadu government might announce its decision on the release of Rajiv Gandhi murder accused Nalini Murugan from the Vellore special prison for women today.

Advocate general (AG) PS Raman assured the Madras high court that the government would arrive at a decision on Nalini’s release based on the recommendations of an advisory panel report.

A copy of the report was submitted to the high court on March 11. The AG said the government wanted to seek clarification from the advisory committee and would arrive at a decision by March 29.
There is enough indication that the recommendations may go in Nalini’s favour. Her death sentence was commuted to a life term at the intervention of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

The committee met Nalini and 10 other prisoners on January 20 and prepared a report during the first week of February. Nalini, who was imprisoned in 1991, sought early release under provisions of the TN Prisons’ Act and 433A of CrPC, which allow a life convict to seek release after spending 14 years in jail.