CHENNAI: Nalini Sriharan, prisoner released in the assassination of former Prime Minister in 1991 Rajiv Gandhiwent to Madras high court to ask for her husband’s release Shri Haran from a special prison camp for foreigners to get their passports and reunite with their daughter, a doctor, in the UK.
Since his release last November, Sriharan, aka Murugan, has been held in a special camp inside Tiruchi Central Prison and is barred from leaving the facility due to his Sri Lankan nationality. He is only allowed to see his immediate family.
Judge N Seshasayee accepted Nalini’s plea and directed Tamil Nadu government and Alien Area Registration Officer (FRRO) to submit their responses within six weeks.
In her plea, Nalini said that her daughter Harithra is a UK citizen. “My husband wants to live with our daughter in the UK. He needs to contact the Sri Lankan embassy to get a passport, which he cannot do while detained in the special camp,” she said. .
Nalini mentioned that according to Tamil Nadu government policy, many foreigners after their release from prison are allowed to reside with their families in the state under certain conditions. In addition, others are allowed to apply for asylum abroad according to their preferences.
However, due to an order from the regional registry office for foreigners, Sriharan is currently prohibited from leaving the camp until he is deported to Sri Lanka.