Madras HC adjourns Nalini release case hearing India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Madras High Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of appeal questioning the premature release of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassin Nalini to February 19. Earlier, the advisory board constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government to study the recommendation made by the Vellore Central Jail authorities for Nalini's early release on the basis of fair behaviour in prison. Nalini has spent 19 years in jail. Janata Party president Subramaniyan Swamy appealed against the panel's recommendation in the Madras High Court. On February 3, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had clarified that his government would not take any unilateral decision on Nalini's release. Karunanidhi said the matter would be discussed with the Union Government before arriving at a final decision. "This is a major issue that has to be discussed at the national level. Therefore, we cannot unilaterally take a decision on it," Karunanidhi had said. Nalini was originally given the death sentence for her role in Rajiv Gandhi's death in 1991. After Nalini gave birth to a daughter in prison, this was commuted to a life sentence at the request of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who said she didn't want to orphan a child.