Top K’taka officials reviewing Sasi plea -

Top K’taka officials reviewing Sasi plea -

The Times Of India

‘Sasikala Needs Only 56 Days Of Remission For Early Release’

TNN & AGENCIES

Chennai/Bengaluru:

The prison head office in the Karnataka government is considering the remission and early release request of expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, who is serving fouryear jail term in connection with the disproportionate assets case.

Her request, submitted to the Parappana Agrahara jail authorities on November 19, pointed out that she had to her credit 129 days of remission and that she would need only 69 days (as on November  19) of that period to be released from jail.

It has now been forwarded to competent authorities for appropriate decision.

“She has applied for remission of her jail term and it has been forwarded to the head of the department for their consideration,” a source said, adding, “Authorities are yet to take a call on it.”

When contacted, Sasikala’s lawyer Raja Senthur Pandian on Wednesday told TOI that as of now Sasikala needed only 56 of her earned remission days to be released from jail.

He also said that as per replies obtained under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, inmates convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act had been granted remission and released from the same jail. “Therefore, conviction under the PC Act cannot be a bar. While so, similar benefit should be extended to Sasikala also,” he said, adding that she alone could not be discriminated against.

Along with Sasikala, her sister-in-law J Elavarasi and nephew V N Sudhagaran are also serving a four-year jail term. Charges against the prime accused and former chief minister Jayalalithaa, however, lapsed as she had passed away by the time the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on February 14, 2017.

As per the Karnataka prison manual, a convict serving a sentence of not less than three months is eligible for three days each of remission every month for good conduct. Sasikala has completed 43 months. An incomplete month or a month where the convict availed herself of parole benefit is not taken into account for the remission benefit, rules state.

A file photo of V K Sasikala heading to Parappana Agrahara jail in February 2017. The expelled AIADMK leader had applied for early release on November 19