TV crew scramble for getting shots of Nalini at dad’s last rites

Nalini, one of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case undergoing life term at the Vellore central prison, was brought under parole with a police escort to attend the last rites of her father P Sankaranarayanan (91), who died at Tirunelveli a day earlier. The body arrived at his daughter’s house on Ponni Amman Koil Street in Kotturpuram. 

Prominent among those who came to pay respects included VCK leader Thol Thiurmavalavan. He said Nalini was the only prisoner to stay in jail for over 25 years. “She was given only 12-hour parole, which was not enough for such a visit,” he added.  

The VCK leader appealed to the state government to make use of the provisions to amend Article 161 of the Constitution to set free the seven others, including Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan, who are still in jail in the same case. 

Ulaga Tamizhar Peravai leader Pazha Nedumaran reiterated Thirumavalavan’s appeal and said that it was his group which fought a case in court to release 19 of the 26 accused involved in the assassination case.

Manithneya Makkal Katchi leader and Ramanathapuram MLA Jawahirullah thanked Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for granting parole to Nalini and said she should do the same for Perarivalan as well. Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman said Nalini should have been granted at least 15 days’ parole. MDMK chief Vaiko, in a statement, regretted that earlier parole was denied thrice to Nalini to see her ailing father. 

The DMK was conspicuous by its absence though Sanakranarayanan’s son Ravi is a DMK functionary. Perarivalan’s mother sent a condolence message explaining her inability to come and pay respects to Nalini’s father.