“I had no role” in the assassination of India’s former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Nalini Sriharan, one of the six convicts who was let go by the Supreme Court,&nbsp; said after she stepped out of the prison on Monday.

She further asserted that it was her husband’s friends who plotted the killing, and added that she was declared prime convict just because of her acquaintance with them.

."Otherwise, I would have ended my life. Do you think I have murdered the former prime minister? 17 murder cases have been framed against me," the 55-year-old Nalini said in her first reaction to the media after she stepped out of the special prison for women in Vellore, about 150 kilometres from southern Chennai city.

Her husband Murugan -- a Sri Lankan national -- along with another convict Santhan, also from Sri Lanka, were released from the Vellore prison. Besides them, two other Sri Lankan nationals -- Robert Payas and Jayakumar -- were released from the Puzhal prison here. All four were taken to the special refugee camp in Tiruchirappalli to be lodged there.

<h2>Watch |&nbsp;Rajiv Gandhi's assassinators to be released after being initially sentenced to death</h2>

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Recalling her meeting with ex-PM’s daughter and current Congress party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in jail, she said, “She is a very kind person. She was an angel. And she made me respect myself because... we were not treated properly in jail.”

Nalini said that Priyanka got very emotional when Priyanka was asked about her father’s killing.

"She asked me about her father's killing. She got emotional for her father. She cried too," she said at a news conference.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/533256" hreflang="en">Supreme Court frees six killers of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi&nbsp;</a>

Last week on Friday, the Supreme Court freed Nalini Srihara, apart from five other remaining convicts, who were serving life term for about three decades in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

The apex court used its earlier judgement in releasing another convict A G Perarivalan, saying that it was equally applicable to them.

Nalini said that she wanted to join her daughter in London and be a homemaker taking care of her husband and her daughter. She hoped that her husband too would join her soon.

Nalini was the longest-serving woman prisoner in the country. She was 24 when she got arrested in 1991. She worked as a stenographer at a private firm when she met Murugan, a member of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

(With inputs from agencies)

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“I had no role” in the assassination of India’s former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Nalini Sriharan, one of the six convicts who was let go by the Supreme Court, said after she stepped out of the prison on Monday.

“I had no role” in the assassination of India’s former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Nalini Sriharan, one of the six convicts who was let go by the Supreme Court, said after she stepped out of the prison on Monday. She further asserted that it was her husband’s friends who plotted the killing, and added that she was declared prime convict just because of her acquaintance with them. ."Otherwise, I would have ended my life. Do you think I have murdered the former prime minister? 17 murder cases have been framed against me," the 55-year-old Nalini said in her first reaction to the media after she stepped out of the special prison for women in Vellore, about 150 kilometres from southern Chennai city. Her husband Murugan -- a Sri Lankan national -- along with another convict Santhan, also from Sri Lanka, were released from the Vellore prison. Besides them, two other Sri Lankan nationals -- Robert Payas and Jayakumar -- were released from the Puzhal prison here. All four were taken to the special refugee camp in Tiruchirappalli to be lodged there. Watch | Rajiv Gandhi's assassinators to be released after being initially sentenced to death Recalling her meeting with ex-PM’s daughter and current Congress party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in jail, she said, “She is a very kind person. She was an angel. And she made me respect myself because... we were not treated properly in jail.” Nalini said that Priyanka got very emotional when Priyanka was asked about her father’s killing. "She asked me about her father's killing. She got emotional for her father. She cried too," she said at a news conference. Also read | Supreme Court frees six killers of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi Last week on Friday, the Supreme Court freed Nalini Srihara, apart from five other remaining convicts, who were serving life term for about three decades in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The apex court used its earlier judgement in releasing another convict A G Perarivalan, saying that it was equally applicable to them. Nalini said that she wanted to join her daughter in London and be a homemaker taking care of her husband and her daughter. She hoped that her husband too would join her soon. Nalini was the longest-serving woman prisoner in the country. She was 24 when she got arrested in 1991. She worked as a stenographer at a private firm when she met Murugan, a member of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Had no role in assassination of India’s ex-PM Rajiv Gandhi,' says Nalini Sriharan, one of released convicts

Over the last few days, Ministers in Tamil Nadu have expressed hope and spoken of the possibilities regarding the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.&nbsp;&nbsp;While this can be seen as comments that are coming close on the heels of Assembly polls due in 2021, there are also some indications that the Ministers’ hopes on Governor Banwarilal Purohit may bear fruit.&nbsp;

On Friday, Law Minister C.Ve Shanmugam said that there was a possibility of the seven convicts getting released without further delay.

Also see| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-nalini-sriharan-and-her-role-in-rajiv-gandhis-assasination-314863">In pics: Nalini Sriharan and her role in Rajiv Gandhi's assasination</a>

“The honorable Governor will announce a good decision soon” he said. On Thursday, speaking in Coimbatore, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said that their government had already forwarded the Assembly resolution regarding the release to the Governor and it was for him to decide.&nbsp;

Interestingly, these statements have come shortly after Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit visited Delhi to meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister, MoS Prime Minister’s Office, and the Vice President of India to discuss what the Governor’s office referred to as, “important issues related to Tamil Nadu”.

On November 3, a Supreme Court bench expressed unhappiness over the fact that the recommendation for the release of Rajiv Gandhi convicts sent to the Governor by the State government was pending for over two years.&nbsp;

Earlier, it was informed that the reason behind the delay from the Governor’s end was owing to the probe of the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) which is looking into the larger conspiracy behind the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case. However, the Court had held that the MDMA probe should not have any impact on the Governor’s decision to pardon the convicts.

Nalini’s advocate Radhakrishnan is optimistic about the release of the seven convicts.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, he said, “State cabinet has passed a resolution in September 2018 and it is binding on the Governor. All seven of them should have been released on 9&nbsp;September 2018. There are 3 earlier cases that were adjudged by a Constitutional bench, where it was ruled that the Governor has no discretion under Article 161. The Governor merely is a signing authority. Even without the Governor’s assent the State Government can release them”. He adds that their release is likely by the end of the year, also stating that cases filed by Perarivalan and Nalini are pending in the Supreme Court and Madras High Court respectively.

Seven people including Nalini and her husband were convicted by the special TADA court for their role in the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21&nbsp;by an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, in the outskirts of Chennai.&nbsp;

Over the last few days, Ministers in Tamil Nadu have expressed hope and spoken of the possibilities regarding the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Over the last few days, Ministers in Tamil Nadu have expressed hope and spoken of the possibilities regarding the release of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. While this can be seen as comments that are coming close on the heels of Assembly polls due in 2021, there are also some indications that the Ministers’ hopes on Governor Banwarilal Purohit may bear fruit. On Friday, Law Minister C.Ve Shanmugam said that there was a possibility of the seven convicts getting released without further delay. Also see| In pics: Nalini Sriharan and her role in Rajiv Gandhi's assasination “The honorable Governor will announce a good decision soon” he said. On Thursday, speaking in Coimbatore, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said that their government had already forwarded the Assembly resolution regarding the release to the Governor and it was for him to decide. Interestingly, these statements have come shortly after Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit visited Delhi to meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister, MoS Prime Minister’s Office, and the Vice President of India to discuss what the Governor’s office referred to as, “important issues related to Tamil Nadu”. On November 3, a Supreme Court bench expressed unhappiness over the fact that the recommendation for the release of Rajiv Gandhi convicts sent to the Governor by the State government was pending for over two years. Earlier, it was informed that the reason behind the delay from the Governor’s end was owing to the probe of the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) which is looking into the larger conspiracy behind the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case. However, the Court had held that the MDMA probe should not have any impact on the Governor’s decision to pardon the convicts. Nalini’s advocate Radhakrishnan is optimistic about the release of the seven convicts. Speaking to WION, he said, “State cabinet has passed a resolution in September 2018 and it is binding on the Governor. All seven of them should have been released on 9 September 2018. There are 3 earlier cases that were adjudged by a Constitutional bench, where it was ruled that the Governor has no discretion under Article 161. The Governor merely is a signing authority. Even without the Governor’s assent the State Government can release them”. He adds that their release is likely by the end of the year, also stating that cases filed by Perarivalan and Nalini are pending in the Supreme Court and Madras High Court respectively. Seven people including Nalini and her husband were convicted by the special TADA court for their role in the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21 by an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, in the outskirts of Chennai.

Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Nalini’s counsel optimistic on release of all 7 convicts by December

Amid reports of Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case life-convict Nalini’s suicide attempt in the Vellore Prison for women, her advocate Pugalendhi in a telephonic conversation told WION that the preliminary information was not convincing enough.

“Nalini is a fighter and has endured so much in her 29-year incarceration, I doubt if the reasons stated by officials would lead her to take such an extreme step. She has never done anything of this kind during her nearly 3-decade jail term. Perhaps, there is more to it than meets the eye” her advocate Pugalendhi says.&nbsp;

Pugalendhi said that he received a call at the intervening night between Monday and Tuesday and was informed that Nalini had attempted suicide in the Prison for Women in Vellore. He states the jail officials’ version, which says that Nalini and another life-convict had a misunderstanding and a quarrel, which aggravated. It is said that the life-convict complained to the jailer about the tussle with Nalini.&nbsp;

Apparently, the jailer had conducted an enquiry with Nalini at around 8:30pm, after which a disturbed Nalini attempted suicide. While some versions state that Nalini threatened to take the extreme step, others say that she had attempted suicide by strangulating using a cloth.&nbsp;

Pugalendhi stated that tussles between prisoners and wardens taking sides were common occurrences in jails. But he points out certain anomalies - “it is likely that the prisoner might have complained to the jailer before 6pm, when the prisoners are required to return to their cells. If the complaint was given at 6pm, why was it necessary for the jailer to visit Nalini and question her at 8:30pm for what seems to be a normal issue? After 7pm the jailer doesn’t visit the prisoners who are in their cells, there are only routine visits that happen daily in the morning. What was the need to go in at night and question her?”

Suspecting that there is more to it than what is being said about this attempted suicide, Pugalendhi talks about the torture and mental agony that Nalini has faced over the last 29 years of her life, which she has spent in jail. He asserts that Nalini has always been a fighter who has stood up for her rights and believed in fighting legal battles. “From how much I know her, she is not the kind of person that would think of taking an extreme step for the above reasons. She has not attempted anything of this sort in the last 29 years. She is a strong character” he says.&nbsp;

 
Pugalendhi also talks about another important aspect that might hold a clue to what went on inside the prison. “In the weekly call that convicts can have with their lawyers, Nalini’s husband, Murugan (a) Sriharan had recently said that legal action be initiated to shift Nalini to the Puzhal prison”.

Nalini is lodged in the Central Prison for Women in Vellore in Tamil Nadu, her husband Murugan (a) Sriharan is lodged in the Prison for male convicts in the same facility. Nalini and her husband are allowed to make two calls to each other every month. However, there is s case pending in the Madras High court on whether Nalini and her husband can make video calls to their family members who are residing abroad, in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.&nbsp;

Seven people including Nalini and her husband were convicted by the special TADA court for their role in the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21st by an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, in the outskirts of Chennai.&nbsp;

The convicts were initially sentenced to death, but later it was commuted to a life imprisonment. Besides Nalini and her husband Murugan (a) Sriharan, the other convicts are Perarivalan, Santhan, Jayakumar, Ravichandran and Robert Payas.

Amid reports of Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case life-convict Nalini’s suicide attempt in the Vellore Prison for women, her advocate Pugalendhi in a telephonic conversation told WION that the preliminary information was not convincing enough.

Amid reports of Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case life-convict Nalini’s suicide attempt in the Vellore Prison for women, her advocate Pugalendhi in a telephonic conversation told WION that the preliminary information was not convincing enough. “Nalini is a fighter and has endured so much in her 29-year incarceration, I doubt if the reasons stated by officials would lead her to take such an extreme step. She has never done anything of this kind during her nearly 3-decade jail term. Perhaps, there is more to it than meets the eye” her advocate Pugalendhi says. Pugalendhi said that he received a call at the intervening night between Monday and Tuesday and was informed that Nalini had attempted suicide in the Prison for Women in Vellore. He states the jail officials’ version, which says that Nalini and another life-convict had a misunderstanding and a quarrel, which aggravated. It is said that the life-convict complained to the jailer about the tussle with Nalini. Apparently, the jailer had conducted an enquiry with Nalini at around 8:30pm, after which a disturbed Nalini attempted suicide. While some versions state that Nalini threatened to take the extreme step, others say that she had attempted suicide by strangulating using a cloth. Pugalendhi stated that tussles between prisoners and wardens taking sides were common occurrences in jails. But he points out certain anomalies - “it is likely that the prisoner might have complained to the jailer before 6pm, when the prisoners are required to return to their cells. If the complaint was given at 6pm, why was it necessary for the jailer to visit Nalini and question her at 8:30pm for what seems to be a normal issue? After 7pm the jailer doesn’t visit the prisoners who are in their cells, there are only routine visits that happen daily in the morning. What was the need to go in at night and question her?” Suspecting that there is more to it than what is being said about this attempted suicide, Pugalendhi talks about the torture and mental agony that Nalini has faced over the last 29 years of her life, which she has spent in jail. He asserts that Nalini has always been a fighter who has stood up for her rights and believed in fighting legal battles. “From how much I know her, she is not the kind of person that would think of taking an extreme step for the above reasons. She has not attempted anything of this sort in the last 29 years. She is a strong character” he says. Pugalendhi also talks about another important aspect that might hold a clue to what went on inside the prison. “In the weekly call that convicts can have with their lawyers, Nalini’s husband, Murugan (a) Sriharan had recently said that legal action be initiated to shift Nalini to the Puzhal prison”. Nalini is lodged in the Central Prison for Women in Vellore in Tamil Nadu, her husband Murugan (a) Sriharan is lodged in the Prison for male convicts in the same facility. Nalini and her husband are allowed to make two calls to each other every month. However, there is s case pending in the Madras High court on whether Nalini and her husband can make video calls to their family members who are residing abroad, in Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. Seven people including Nalini and her husband were convicted by the special TADA court for their role in the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21st by an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, in the outskirts of Chennai. The convicts were initially sentenced to death, but later it was commuted to a life imprisonment. Besides Nalini and her husband Murugan (a) Sriharan, the other convicts are Perarivalan, Santhan, Jayakumar, Ravichandran and Robert Payas.

Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: Lawyer raises questions over Nalini’s suicide attempt in jail, suspects foulplay 

Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, reportedly attempted suicide in the Special Prison for Women in Vellore.

According to Nalini’s lawyer Advocate P Pugalenthi “There was a quarrel between Nalini and another life convict. The other person complained to the jailer about the tussle. Jailer conducted an enquiry with Nalini. It is said that Nalini was severely disturbed and attempted suicide.”

“Some say that Nalini threatened to take the extreme step and someday. She’s endured much more torture and fought it legally. It is doubtful if she would resort to an extreme measure for such a reason. I have known her as a fighter who stands up for her rights, we need to understand if there is some other serious issue,” added Advocate P Pugalenthi.

Last year Nalini, one of the seven convicts in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case had&nbsp;demanded mercy killing along with her husband Murugan alias Sriharan, who is also a convict in the case.

Nalini Sriharan, the lone surviving member of the five-member squad behind the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, has been serving a life term in Vellore Central Prison for the past 29 years.

Nalini and her husband Murugan, a Sri Lankan national, are among the seven convicts in the case who are serving life imprisonment in the case related to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE suicide bomber during an election rally at Sriperumpudur near here on May 21, 1991.

The seven convicts are AG Perarivalan, V Sriharan alias Murugan, T Suthendraraja alias Santhan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Nalini Sriharan. They include both Indians and Sri Lankans. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, reportedly attempted suicide in the Special Prison for Women in Vellore.

Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, reportedly attempted suicide in the Special Prison for Women in Vellore. According to Nalini’s lawyer Advocate P Pugalenthi “There was a quarrel between Nalini and another life convict. The other person complained to the jailer about the tussle. Jailer conducted an enquiry with Nalini. It is said that Nalini was severely disturbed and attempted suicide.” “Some say that Nalini threatened to take the extreme step and someday. She’s endured much more torture and fought it legally. It is doubtful if she would resort to an extreme measure for such a reason. I have known her as a fighter who stands up for her rights, we need to understand if there is some other serious issue,” added Advocate P Pugalenthi. Last year Nalini, one of the seven convicts in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case had demanded mercy killing along with her husband Murugan alias Sriharan, who is also a convict in the case. Nalini Sriharan, the lone surviving member of the five-member squad behind the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, has been serving a life term in Vellore Central Prison for the past 29 years. Nalini and her husband Murugan, a Sri Lankan national, are among the seven convicts in the case who are serving life imprisonment in the case related to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE suicide bomber during an election rally at Sriperumpudur near here on May 21, 1991. The seven convicts are AG Perarivalan, V Sriharan alias Murugan, T Suthendraraja alias Santhan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Nalini Sriharan. They include both Indians and Sri Lankans. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Nalini Sriharan reportedly attempted suicide in jail

In pics: Nalini Sriharan and her role in Rajiv Gandhi's assasination

Madras High Court on Thursday extended the parole granted to Nalini Sriharan, a convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, by three weeks.

On July 25, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajiv-gandhi-assassination-convict-nalini-sriharan-released-from-jail-on-30-day-parole-for-daughters-wedding-238321">Nalini was released</a> from Vellore central prison on month-long parole.

Madras high court on July 5 granted parole to Nalini to make arrangements for her daughter's wedding. Nalini's daughter Harithra Sriharan, who was born in prison and is currently a medical practitioner in London. 
 
Nalini was granted parole on condition that during the period she would not be allowed to meet politicians or interact with the media.

This is her first such leave in 28 years of incarceration. Nalini was granted 12-hour parole in 2016 to attend the last rites of her father P Sankara Narayanan.

Nalini was initially sentenced to death, however, her death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Tamil Nadu government on April 24, 2000.

Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated&nbsp;during an election rally at Sriperumpudur on May 21, 1991.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Madras High Court on Thursday extended the parole granted to Nalini Sriharan, a convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, by three weeks. On July 25, Nalini was released from Vellore central prison on month-long parole.

Madras High Court on Thursday extended the parole granted to Nalini Sriharan, a convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, by three weeks. On July 25, Nalini was released from Vellore central prison on month-long parole. Madras high court on July 5 granted parole to Nalini to make arrangements for her daughter's wedding. Nalini's daughter Harithra Sriharan, who was born in prison and is currently a medical practitioner in London. Nalini was granted parole on condition that during the period she would not be allowed to meet politicians or interact with the media. This is her first such leave in 28 years of incarceration. Nalini was granted 12-hour parole in 2016 to attend the last rites of her father P Sankara Narayanan. Nalini was initially sentenced to death, however, her death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Tamil Nadu government on April 24, 2000. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during an election rally at Sriperumpudur on May 21, 1991. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Madras High Court extends parole of convict Nalini Sriharan by three weeks

Nalini Sriharan, India’s longest-serving woman prisoner and convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been released on a month-long ordinary parole from Vellore central prison today.

Madras high court on July 5 granted parole to Nalini to make arrangements for her daughter's wedding. Nalini's daughter Harithra Sriharan, who was born in prison and is currently a medical practitioner in London.

This is her first such leave in 28 years of incarceration. Nalini was granted 12-hour parole in 2016 to attend the last rites of her father P Sankara Narayanan.

Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated at Sriperumbudur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu in May 1991 and a special court for Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) cases had sentenced Nalini, who was then the only surviving accused present in the assassination, and other convicts to death in January 1998.

Nalini Sriharan, India’s longest-serving woman prisoner and convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been released on a month-long ordinary parole from Vellore central prison today.

Nalini Sriharan, India’s longest-serving woman prisoner and convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been released on a month-long ordinary parole from Vellore central prison today. Madras high court on July 5 granted parole to Nalini to make arrangements for her daughter's wedding. Nalini's daughter Harithra Sriharan, who was born in prison and is currently a medical practitioner in London. This is her first such leave in 28 years of incarceration. Nalini was granted 12-hour parole in 2016 to attend the last rites of her father P Sankara Narayanan. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated at Sriperumbudur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu in May 1991 and a special court for Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) cases had sentenced Nalini, who was then the only surviving accused present in the assassination, and other convicts to death in January 1998.

Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Nalini Sriharan released from jail on 30-day parole for daughter's wedding

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