CHENNAI: Sacked AIADMK interim general secretary VK Sasikala, currently serving her four-year jail term in the disproportionate assets (DA) case, has applied for a 15-day parole to be with her ailing husband M Natarajan, suffering from kidney and liver failure and admitted to a private hospital in the city, according to her nephew TTV Dhinakaran who talked to the press.
However, amid reports that she has applied for parole, officials at the Bengaluru Central Prison clarified on Monday that she has not applied for parole, but has discussed about the procedure to visit her ailing husband. A senior official of the central prison at Parappana Agrahara said that it is true that she is contemplating to apply for parole.
“She has discussed with the officials that she needs to visit her ailing husband and has enquired about the procedures to be followed. We have explained to her the procedures and it’s left for her to apply for it. She may apply for parole in the next 2-3 days,” the official said.
Sources said Sasikala’s application seeking parole for 15 days is likely to be processed on Tuesday. “Since Monday is a holiday on account of Gandhi Jayanthi, the application may be taken into consideration on Tuesday,” a top source said.
Natarajan, who has been receiving treatment at the Global Hospital in Chennai for the last nine months, is awaiting liver and kidney transplantation and his condition is said to be critical. The hospital, in its health bulletin released last week, said his critical condition has been conveyed to his family members.
"We have applied for parole for our General Secretary (Sasikala). She will get permission for sure. The (Karnataka) Prisons Department will decide on the number of days she will be released on parole. That decision is left to them", Dhinakaran said.
Though Natarajan and Sasikala had been living separately since 1990s, he had accompanied her when she surrendered before the prison authorities on February 15 after she was convicted in the DA case and sentenced to four years in prison.
Natarajan, who is currently receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of Global Hospital, is still awaiting liver and kidney transplantation.
