Lalu seeks five-day parole to attend son’s wedding

Lalu’s aide Bhola Yadav, said an application for parole has been submitted before jail authorities on Tuesday

Incarcerated Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday moved an application before jail authorities seeking parole to attend his son’s wedding on May 12 in Patna.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav arrives at Ranchi Railway Station amid heavy security. (PTI FILE)

Prasad’s son 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 legislator Chandrika Rai, in Patna.

The RJD chief, convicted in three fodder scam cases, has been imprisoned at Birsa Munda Central Jail since December 23 last year. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi.

“We submitted an application seeking Prasad’s temporary release from jail on parole for five days from May 10 to May 14. Prasad wanted to attend his son’s marriage ceremony to full fill his religious duty,” said RJD legislator Bhola Yadav, a close associate of Prasad who is looking after the RJD leader’s legal issues.

“We are anticipating authorities’ approval by Wednesday (May 9). A prisoner has a right to seek parole on valid grounds as per Bihar Prisoners (Parole) Rules, 1973, duly adopted by the Jharkhand government after creation of the state. Rule 6 (c) says that marriage of son or daughter is a valid ground for seeking parole.” Bhola Yadav said.

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.

Om May 1, Prasad was referred back to RIMS after being treated for nearly a month.

Prasad had been diagnosed with 15 different diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.