A mentally ill woman life convict, who has served over 20 years in jail in a murder case, is set to walk free with the Tamil Nadu Government today informing the Madras High Court that an order has been passed to release her as per a 2008 Government Order.
A copy of the government order on release of Pakka alias Vijaya, lodged in the Special Prison for Women in Vellore, was filed by state Home (Prison) Department before a bench comprising Justice S Rajeswaran and Justice P N Prakash in response to a habeas corpus petition.
In the HCP, petitioner advocate P Pugalenthi, Director of city-based Prisoners Right Forum, had submitted that the convict was mentally ill patient and a non-governmental organisation at Vellore was prepared to accommodate and treat her well.
He pointed out that Vijaya was convicted in a murder and had completed 20 years of jail term and hence eligible to get released as per a September 11, 2008 G O under which 1405 life convicts who had completed seven years of actual imprisonment as on September 15 that year were ordered to be released.
He also said he had already sent a representation in this regard to the authorities.
