JOIN US It was euphoria outside the Parappana Agrahara central prisons when Jayalalitha was released on Saturday.
The AIADMK leaders and cadre danced and burst crackers when their leader walked out.Police said the crowd had started gathering around the Parappana Agrahara prisons since Friday evening. Around 3,000 people had arrived in cars and tempo travellers and had checked in at hotels nearby. Supporters had lined up on one side of the double road till Hosa Junction at 10 am. Though prohibitory orders were imposed, the shops were allowed to open on Hosa Road. The heavy rains for almost two hours did not deter the crowd. The supporters took shelter at shops, bus stops and factories nearby.
Around 100 senior leaders of AIADMK, including ministers, MLAs and MPs were allowed to stand a few metres away from main entrance of the central prison. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, along with Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Tambi Dorai, arrived at the prison premises at around 11 am. The messenger from the court arrived, along with the bail orders, at 2.45 pm. Jayalalitha came out of the prison at around 3.05 pm and sat in the car on the seat next to the driver. Jayalalitha’s close aide Sasikala and Elavarasi sat in the back seat and the convoy left. Sources said Jayalalitha spoke to Panneerselvam even as other leaders fell at her feet.
The cheering crowd, which was on the other side, could only wave at their leader from a distance. Since the convoy was moving slowly, a few supporters, including women, managed to reach till the convoy. They fell on the ground and also showered flower petals on the car.
For the city police, it was a heavy bandobast duty in the last 22 days. Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Alok Kumar said that there was no untoward incident.
Another police officer said that though Jayalalitha looked tired, there was no sign of anxiety on her face.
Sources said that HAL airport authorities were provided with a list of people travelling in the special flight along with Jayalalitha.
They included her aides Sasikala and Elavarasi, besides the six crew members. Sources said that the time of take-off, 4.15 pm, was pre-decided as it was considered auspicious. V N Sudhakaran, Panneerselvam and his cabinet colleagues travelled to Chennai by road.