Vellore:
She has spent 19 years in prison for her role in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Now, Nalini Sriharan, sentenced to life, may be staring at her last few days in jail.
The Vellore Jail Advisory Board has recommended that she be set free because of her good conduct. The same committee, four years ago, had rejected Nalini's appeal for freedom, arguing that she is still a supporter of the LTTE, the group responsible for Gandhi's death.
"She has earned so many diplomas, and if released she would settle peacefully and would not be harmful to anybody," promises Doraiswamy, Nalini's lawyer.
Ironically, Nalini is alive today because of the woman she widowed. In 1998, Nalini was given the death penalty. But Sonia Gandhi intervened because Nalini had given birth to a baby girl in jail. A decade later, Nalini asked for freedom arguing that she has spent more than half her life in jail, isn't keeping well, doesn't expect to live long and would like to spend her final years with her daughter.
This prompted a visit from another daughter. Priyanka Gandhi went to prison in 2008 to meet the woman who helped kill her father.
In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Gandhi said, "The learning that came from that meeting was that I was still not angry anymore and I did not hate her and I wanted to meet her. I was still thinking I could forgive her for what she had done and then I met her and I realised what am I talking about... this is a woman who has gone through as much if not more than me."
A life convict can be considered for premature release after 14 years but there are reservations in this case. ''The issue is Nalini has already got one mercy, from death sentence to life, can she be given another? The answer is no,'' states Subramianim Swamy, President of the Janata Party, who is campaigning against Nalini's appeal.
The final decision lies with the Tamil Nadu Government. The Chief Minister has already made his stand clear. When asked if Nalini could in principle be released, M Karunandhi answered, "When Sonia Gandhi herself has been so compassionate to her, how can I not be?"
But sources say the state government will consult with the Union Government before taking a final decision.