Nalini to get A class facilities in prison

CHENNAI: The Superintendent attached to the Special Prison for Women in Vellore was directed by the Madras High Court to provide ‘A’ class facilities to S Nalini, prime accused in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and serving life sentence there.A division bench comprising Justices K Mohan Ram and GM Akbar Ali, which gave the direction while allowing a writ petition from Nalini, also set aside an order dated May 28, 2010 of the Superintendent reducing the ‘A’ class to ‘B’ class facility. According to the official, he  made a surprise check in Nalini’s cell and recovered a cell phone from her possession on April 20, 2010.Holding that Nalini committed an offence under the provisions of the TN Prison Rules, he reduced the ‘A’ class facility. Nalini’s counsel M Radhakrishnan pointed out that there was no enquiry regarding the alleged offence. No opportunity was given to Nalini before passing the reduction order, he contended.Accepting the arguments, the bench pointed out that the superintendent had not stated in his counter-affidavit that he had conducted an enquiry before awarding the punishment. Therefore, the punishment was not sustainable and liable to be set aside, the bench said, and accordingly quashed it. She should be provided with ‘A’ class facility with immedaite effect, the bench added.