On Sunday, 31 January, expelled AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala was discharged from Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where she was undergoing treatment for COVID-19, ANI reported. She was formally released from Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on 27 January.
According to The News Minute, close to 300 of her supporters thronged the exit gate of the hospital to welcome her as she waved at them.
In what can be read as a political message, Sasikala was driven in a car with an AIADMK flag after her discharge.
The Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute had earlier said that the vital parameters of the said leader were stable.
The team of doctors attending to Sasikala on Saturday decided that she is fit for discharge and will be advised home quarantine, said Victoria Hospital.
“Sasikala Natarajan is asymptomatic. She's conscious and alert. Her vital parameters are stable & blood sugars under control. She is maintaining saturation without oxygen and is walking with support. She is being continuously monitored,” the hospital added.
Background
Sasikala was sentenced to four years imprisonment in February 2017 in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case, along with her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi and Jayalalithaa’s foster son VN Sudhakaran.
Sasikala had tested positive for COVID-19 on 20 January and had been admitted to the Bowring hospital initially. In view of her critical condition, she was shifted to the ICU ward of Victoria Hospital.
On the same day as her release, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami is scheduled to inaugurate the Jayalalithaa Memorial at Marina beach. Recently, he ended speculations by stating there is ‘no chance’ AIADMK will take Sasikala back into the party.
(With inputs from ANI)
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