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Uncertainty continues over Lalu Prasad’s parole to attend son’s wedding
Media reports had earlier claimed that Lalu was granted parole to attend his son Tej Pratap Yadav’s marriage in Patna on May 12.
Uncertainty continued on the release of incarcerated Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on a five-day parole to attend his elder son’s wedding in Patna on May 12 as the Jharkhand government on Wednesday sought more clarifications from authorities concerned before taking a final decision on the leader’s plea.
Media reports had earlier claimed that Lalu was granted parole to attend his son Tej Pratap Yadav’s marriage in Patna on May 12.
Inspector general (Jail) Harsh Mangla said, “Parole hasn’t been granted yet as the matter is still under consideration.”
Lalu on Tuesday had applied before the jail authorities for temporary release on parole for five days from May 10 to May 14. Till Wednesday evening, formalities for grant of parole remained embroiled in official paper work.
Even if he is granted parole on Thursday morning, the RJD chief would be able to reach Patna not before late evening as there is only evening flight to Patna from Ranchi. Given his medical condition, chances of Lalu travelling by road seems bleak.
Tej Pratap Yadav is set to tie the knot with Ashwariya Rai, the granddaughter of former Bihar chief minister Daroga Rai and daughter of senior RJD leader and MLA Chandrika Rai.
The RJD chief has been serving jail terms here at the Birsa Munda Central Jail since December 23 last year after his convictions in three different fodder scam cases. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi.
Before taking a decision for his temporary release, the jail authorities had sought legal opinion from advocate general Ajit Kumar, who opined that the government could accede to his request.
“The jail authorities had also sought report from RIMS medical board, which declared him fit to travel along with a doctor,” said RJD legislator, Bhola Yadav, Prasad’s close associate, who is looking after his legal cases.
Yadav further clarified, “We are still waiting for the final approval from the government.”
Earlier, Prasad had applied for provisional bail on health grounds before the Jharkhand high court. His petition is likely to come up for hearing on May 11, a day before his son’s wedding.
The Birsa Munda Central Jail authorities, on March 17, had shifted Prasad to RIMS after he complained of discomfort and chest pain. Later, the RIMS authorities referred him to AIIMS, New Delhi, for specialized treatment.
Prasad was referred back to the RIMS after getting treatment for nearly one month at AIIMS on May 1.
Prasad had been diagnosed with 15 different diseases including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, peri-anal abscess and acute kidney injury on chronic kidney disease.
(This copy has been updated with latest developments)
