Not necessary to file counter to Nalini's plea: Centre Govt

(September 18, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Centre on Wednesday told the Madras High Court that it is not necessary for it to file any counter to a petition filed by S Nalini, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, seeking premature release.

Additional Solicitor General M Raveendran, submitted before Justice S Nagamuthu that Nalini has not challenged any order of the Centre nor has she approached for any relief with the Centre. So, the Centre feels that it is not necessary to file any counter to her petition, he submitted.

Nalini, lodged in the high-security Vellore prison, had moved the Madras High Court seeking premature release.

In its counter, the Tamil Nadu government opposed her plea, saying she had harboured sentiments for the banned LTTE, and stood by the decision of the Advisory Board which had rejected her plea.

The Board had rejected the plea for premature release saying it was not sure that her sentimental attachment to the LTTE has reduced and she will not again indulge in unlawful act to support their cause.

She had moved the High Court after being in jail for the last 17 years. The death sentence awarded to her was commuted to lifer following an appeal by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on humanitarian grounds that Nalini had given birth to a baby girl in jail. Priyanka Vadra, had also met Nalini in the Vellore prison early this year. - Sri Lanka Guardian