MEA must clear video call for Nalini, Murugan, TN tells HC

A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice VM Velumani, on recording the submission that the Tamil Nadu government is waiting for the reply as to whether convicts involved in crimes possessing international ramifications can be permitted to make WhatsApp video calls to their relatives abroad, adjourned the plea to July 14.

The bench also suo motu impleaded the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs as respondents in the case.

Appearing for Nalini’s mother Padma, who had moved the plea seeking to allow both Nalini and Murugan to the speak to the latter’s mother and sister in Sri Lanka, Advocate M Radhakrishnan submitted that when all prisoners can make video calls to their relatives, denying the same to the couple is against the fundamental rights available under Article 21 of the Constitution.

However, the government counsel reiterated that issues involving a foreign country fall within the domain of the Ministry of External Affairs on which TN Prison authorities or the State government cannot take unilateral decisions.

He added that since the offence committed by the life convicts had international ramification and given their overseas contacts with banned outfits, there was no guarantee that the convicts would use this facility for personal/family affairs.

The petitioner, while referring to the death of Murugan’s father in Sri Lanka on April 27, 2020, said his request to watch the last rites of his father over WhatsApp video was also not granted by the Tamil Nadu government.