Former Uttar Pradesh Minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi, convicted of the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla, are due to be released from imprisonment following a recent order issued by the state Prisons Administration and Reforms Department on Friday (August 25).
On May 9, 2003, Madhumita Shukla was tragically shot dead in Paper Mill Colony, Lucknow. The case was taken up by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), leading to the conviction of Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani Tripathi, nephew Rohit Chaturvedi, and shooter Santosh Rai by a fast track court in Dehradun on October 24, 2007.
Amanmani Tripathi, the son of former UP minister Amarmani Tripathi, said: "This is a blessing of the Almighty. For 20 years, we have been waiting for this, for our parents. Today, that hour has come. My family and I are all very happy. Everyone is delighted, it can't be described in words," news agency ANI posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) of the same.
After more than two decades in jail, the Supreme Court issued an order for Amarmani Tripathi's release on August 18. Considering his age (66), his conduct during his time in prison, and his lack of involvement in other cases, the court ruled for his release. The release order also pertained to Madhumani Tripathi.
The District Magistrate of Gorakhpur subsequently stipulated that the Tripathis should be released on presenting two sureties and an equivalent bail bond amount.
Madhumita's sister Nidhi Shukla contested this release, approaching the Supreme Court to prevent it. Nevertheless, the apex court declined to halt the Tripathis' release from incarceration.
This move aligns with the recent advice from the Supreme Court to state governments, urging them to consider releasing inmates displaying good behavior during their imprisonment. Consequently, Amarmani filed a petition for his release, which was granted on February 10. Following the initial order, Amarmani later lodged a contempt petition when the release wasn't promptly enacted.