Nalini and Murugan — the husband-wife duo convicted for Rajiv Gandhi's assassination — who are currently on an indefinite fast, were moved from Vellore prison to a nearby hospital after their health deteriorated.
The two have been fasting since June 25 in demand for an Indian visit visa for their 14-year-old daughter Arithra, something she has been denied for more than six months now. After their appeals to the government failed, the two went on a fast-unto-death, refusing to touch food in the prison.
The two lost consciousness on Wednesday night, following which prison officials moved them to a government hospital where they have been put on saline and glucose. They're still refusing to take any oral food, officials said.
Murugan is on death row and his mercy petition remains unanswered by the President. Nailni, whose death penalty was commuted to a life term (as she has to look after her daughter), is awaiting her release orders as her prison term is over.
It’s been almost 10 years since Arithra, brought up by Murugan's mother in Jaffna, has seen her parents. MDMK leader Vaiko has petitioned PM Manmohan Singh to have a visit visa issued to Arithra on humanitarian grounds.
{{/usCountry}}It’s been almost 10 years since Arithra, brought up by Murugan's mother in Jaffna, has seen her parents. MDMK leader Vaiko has petitioned PM Manmohan Singh to have a visit visa issued to Arithra on humanitarian grounds.
{{/usCountry}}Nalini has completed MCA through IGNOU while Murugan edits a prison magazine. Nalini was pregnant with the child when they, along with others, plotted Rajiv’s assassination. The two got married after the operation.