Consider allowing WhatsApp call for Nalini, hubby: High Court

A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice V M Velumani sought the Centre to consider the issue on humanitarian grounds after the Assistant Solicitor General G Karthikeyan informed the court that the Centre has made a policy decision not to allow Murugan and Nalini to speak with their relatives abroad.

While the Assistant Solicitor General submitted that the couple have been convicted for the gruesome assassination of a former Prime Minister and that no such permission has ever been granted to such convicts from abroad, the bench led by Justice Kirubakaran said “There is no doubt that they have performed a gruesome act. But does that not mean that we should act in an inhuman manner against them and not allow Murugan to speak to his mother and sister.”

Also noting that Murugan’s father has died and that the duo have been in prison for the past 27 years, the bench said “there is no point in beating a dead snake” and sought the counsel to get instructions in granting a one time permission enabling Murugan to speak to his sister and mother and not daily for an hour as sought. Based on this, the bench posted the case for further hearing to August 3.