Karunanidhi Released

After five days in custody, former Chief Minister MKarunanidhi today walked out of the Central jail here following the Jayalalithaagovernment's decision to free him on "age and humanitarian grounds" inthe wake of all round concern over his health and the Centre's decision to issuea warning to the state.

A tired-looking Karunanidhi came out in a wheel chair alittle after 1700 hours to a rousing welcome from hundreds of his party workersgathered outside the jail, his home ever since he was arrested on corruptioncharges in the "fly over" scam. They shouted "long live Kalaignar"as he is popularly known.

The release came as pressure mounted on the stategovernment following concerns expressed over his health from various quartersincluding AIADMK allies and in the wake of Centre's decision to give a warningto the government on the basis of Home Ministry report which found the arrest"vindictive and arbitrary".

Union Ministers Murasoli Maran and T.R.Baalu, who werealso arrested on Saturday and freed yesterday were at hand to receive theirleader.

Saying he was too tired to make a lengthy speech,Karunanidhi immediately drove to his home with wife Dayalu and later to theparty headquarters where he addressed workers and met reporters.

Karunanidhi said his release was not a"gratis" from the state but due to the hue and cry raised by fellowTamils from all over the world.

The 78-year-old DMK leader, who was arrested afterbeing dragged and pushed at his residence in the middle of the night, wasreleased by the government taking into consideration his "advanced age andon humanitarian grounds". The case against him would, however, continue,the state government said in a release.

Maran, who met him in the prison this morning, saidKarunanidhi refused to apply for bail. His health was bad and that thegovernment should take responsibility for anything untoward that may happen tohim, he added.

Yesterday, Principal Sessions Judge Ashok Kumar hadpassed strictures against the police over the shabby treatment meted out toKarunanidhi on Saturday before he was lodged in the Central Jail.

Jayalalithaa's allies, however, maintained the caseagainst Karunanidhi could continue.

Related Stories
TN govt warned againstrecurrence of "unfortunate events"
Can Jaya take major policy decision, asks High Court
'Maran's pace makernot damaged': TN govt
Karunanidhi breaks down while narrating events of arrest
Ravindranath approached for DGP post earlier: Karuna
Issuing warning is first step: Karunanidhi
AIADMK delegation call on Vice President
Centre's "warning" to TN govt is "almost ready"
Gowda suggests convening of NIC meeting
Plea to appoint PPs
Jailed City Mayor moves HC to be lodged in Chennai prison
BJP hopeful that TN govt would function constitutionally
Let NIC meeting evolve code of conduct for ministers:Gowda
"Hue and cry raised by fellow Tamils helped in my release"
"Academic" warning to TN "face saving": Cong
Notice on plea for CBI probe into cases against Jayalalithaa
DMK activist sets himself ablaze
Karunanidhi released
Narasimha Rao declines to comment on TN issue
Family members allowed to meet Stalin
Jaya orders release of Karunanidhi
Karunanidhi 'agrees' to come out
Maran sees conspiracy behind action against Karuna
Karunanidhi not to seek bail: Maran
Jaya orders release of Karunanidhi
Maran discharged from hospital
Karunanidhi asks state government to withdraw security
Conduct detailed inquiry, says TNCC
Centre to issue warning to TN govt
Maran yet to receive order
Leaders, Familymembers meet Karuna
TN a fit case for Art 356, says Baalu
Centre to give Warning to TN
PMO contradicts TN govt's claim
BJP appreciates TN for dropping charges against ministers
BJP leaders call on Karunanidhi
DMK, AIADMK MPs meet Advani
Karunanidhi's arrest direct attack on democratic establishment
Baalu released from prison
Cong opposes any move to impose President's rule in T N
Arrest of Nambiar, Srinivasan "immoral, arbitrary": Fernandes
Karunanidhi's health causing concern
TN govt avoids confrontation, drops cases against Ministers
DMK remand prisoners on fast in jail
Attorney General discusses TN situation with Law Minister
TN Govt drops cases against Union Ministers
Cases against ministers to be dropped
PMK leader meets Karunanidhi
Rangarajan sworn in TN Governor
TN situation does not warrant President's rule: Congress