Security tightened in Bangalore ahead of Jayalalithaa's release

Bangalore police commissioner M N Reddy confirmed of the deployment of tight security as former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa is scheduled to be released from jail today after the Supreme Court granted her interim bail on medical grounds.

"We have imposed prohibitory orders in and around the prison area so that there is no untoward incident; there is no gathering of people. We have deployed large number of policemen both civil and armed as well as traffic, not only in and around this area but also along the Hosur road and along the route that we expect her to take to the airport," said Reddy.

He further informed that she might also be flown in a special aircraft from Bangalore, adding to which he said that there could be a slight disruption in traffic when she will be released but nothing major is expected.

Meanwhile, eagerly waiting for her arrival, Jayalalithaa's supporters in Chennai gathered outside the airport and her residence to celebrate her release.

Yesterday, Jayalalithaa's supporters erupted in joy after the Supreme Court granted her interim bail on medical grounds. She was languishing in jail for the past 20 days after being held guilty in a disproportionate assets case.

Jayalalithaa, who was denied bail by the Karnataka High Court following her conviction and a four-year sentence in the graft case, had moved the Supreme Court for bail on October 9.

The AIADMK chief had challenged the Karnataka High Court's decision to deny her bail.

Jayalalithaa had pleaded that she be given immediate relief as she was suffering from various health-related ailments.

A petition has also been moved in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to shift Jayalalithaa from Bangalore to the Chennai Central Prison.