Nalini says not aware of Rajiv assassination bid, explains meeting with Priyanka
- Friday, November 14,2022
- 7 comments
Chennai, Nov 13 (UNI) Asserting that she was not aware of the bid to
assassinate former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, S.Nalini, who was
released from prison last evening following a Supreme Court order,
today explained about her meeting with Prayanka Gandhi Vadra in
Vellore Central prison in 2008.
Talking to reporters here, Nalini, who was one of the seven life convicts
in the case, said she was very said about the killing of Rajiv Gandhi.
Nalini said she would like to meet the family members of Rajiv, but
was reluctant to meet them, though she was not aware that the
former Prime Minister was killed.
On Priyanka's meeting with her in Vellore prison in 2008, Nalini said
she turned emotional and wept.
"Priyanka asked about the killing of her father and I tokd her what I
knew", she said, while refusing to divulge what other things they
had discussed during the meeting.
To a question, Nalini said she was yet to decide on whether to settle
in Chennai or stay with her daughter in London.
She said "at present I have nothing in Vellore and would be moving
to Trichy as my husband was taken to the Special Camp so that I
can meet him and talk to him".
She said her daughter was yearning to meet her father Murugan, who
was also released from prison last evening, and that she has to first
get a passport for him as early as possible.
"My husband Murugan did not have a passport. The first thing is to get
a passport for him as early as possible so that he can visit London to
meet our daughter", Nalini said, adding, she wished to lead a normal
life following her release from prison.
Meanwhile, apart from Nalini, the remaining five convicts, viz.,Murugan,
R.P.Ravichandran, Robert Payas, Santhan and Jayakumar were also
released from their respective prisons late last evening after the copies
of the Apex Court order were furnished and after completing all legal
formalities.
Nalini and Ravichandran, who were on parole (Ordinary leave) were
called and freed later after completing the formalities.
While Nalini was released from Special Prison for Women in Vellore,
Murugam and Santhan walked out free from the Vellore Central Prison,
Rober Payas and Jayakumar from Chennai Puzhal Central prison and
Ravichandran from Madurai Central prison.
The other convict A.G.Perarivalan was released in May this year after
the Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142
of the Constitution..
The court invoked the same provision to the remaining six other convicts
and ordered their release forthwith.
Before leaving the prison, authorities also handed them the cash they
had earned by working in prison.
Later, Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas and Jayakumar, who were Sri
Lankan Nationals, were escorted to the Special Camp (Foreigners
Detention Centre) in Tiruchirapalli.
UNI GV 1800