Bengaluru: Expelled AIADMK leader Sasikala, who was jailed since February this year, stepped out of the Bengaluru Central Jail in Parappana Agarahara after she was granted emergency parole for five days by the prison authorities on Friday, to visit her ailing husband M. Natarajan.
Sasikala, who had applied for an emergency parole for 15 days on Wednesday, was granted just five day parole and two days for travelling. Jail officials maintained that she was granted only five days as per the recommendations made by the Tamil Nadu police in their report. Sasikala has to be back in her prison barrack on Thursday, as her parole period starts on Saturday and ends on Wednesday.
Prison authorities had rejected Sasikala’s application for parole on Tuesday and she had submitted a fresh plea for the same on Wednesday. The same day, the prison department had sought the report from the TN police as per procedure.
It is learnt that the Tamil Nadu police replied on Thursday evening, stating they have no objection for her release on parole. The jail authorities started further initiated the process on Friday morning.
At 3 pm, Sasikala came out of prison and went in an SUV. Her relative T.T.V. Dinakaran accompanied her to Chennai. Around 40 supporters had gathered to welcome her. Police did not allow their vehicles to e nter and only a few approached the prison’s exit gate to welcome their leader. Dinakaran, who had arrived in the city on Thursday night, did not wish to speak to media.
Sasikala, along with Ilavarasi and V.N. Sudhakaran, had surrendered before a trial court on February 15 in connection with the disproportionate assets case in which they were convicted and the same day they were sent to the Parappana Agrahara central jail.
Parole conditions
- Her stay is restricted to the residence mentioned in her application and her visits, to the hospital where her husband is admitted.
- No visitors can be entertained either at her residence or at the hospital
- No involvement in political or public activities
- No media interactions
Visitors kept waiting
As jail officials were busy with parole procedures, many visitors who came to visit their family members, friends and relatives lodge in the jail had to wait for more than three hours. Generally, the interviews with start around noon, but visitors had to wait till Sasikala left at 3 pm.
