Official gives clean chit for Nalini's conduct in jail

A senior prison official has given a clean chit in regard to conduct of Nalini, undergoing life imprisonment in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, to an Advisory Board which has to take a stand on premature release sought by her.

The district probation officer has told the Board that Nalini's conduct in Vellore Central jail where she is lodged has been good during the 12 years she has been in the prison following her conviction, reliable sources said on Thursday.

The probation official also apprised the Board that Nalini (44), mother of a 19-year-old girl, had completed her Masters course in Computer applications while undergoing the punishment.

The fact that she is a mother of a young girl has also been mentioned as a factor by the official, the sources said.

The official's assessment would now be considered by the Board headed by District Collector C Rajendran which also has the district superintendent of police and the district judge as members along with a non-official member.

The sources said the favourable report of the probation official would be weighed by the board before it sends its recommendation which will be done in the next few days.

The Advisory Board was formed to consider Nalini's plea for premature release.

"The board's recommendations are under preparation. It will take some more time to finalise its recommendations," Rajendran said, a day after it heard Nalini at the jail.