Amarmani, wife freed, to remain hospitalised

Former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani Tripathi, who were undergoing a life sentence at Gorakhpur district jail for their involvement in the 2003 murder of poet Madhumita Shukla, were released on Friday, but will remain under medical supervision at a government-run hospital for a few more days, officials familiar with the matter said.

- Rohit Kumar Singh, Abdur Rahman and Utkarsh Anand

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refrained from staying the couple's premature release, observing that the "question of liberty has to apply to everyone".

The Tripathis were admitted in Gorakhpur-based Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in 2013 due to various health issues, including spondylitis and kidney problems, hospital's medical superintendent Dr Rajesh Rai said.

"Amarmani is not fit for discharge yet, and will remain under observation for a few more days," he added.

Confirming the development, the couple's son Amanmani Tripathi told reporters: "My father has been advised to remain in the hospital for three more days, and my mother will stay by his side."

Gorakhpur jailor AP Khushwaha, who reached the hospital around 8.30 pm with the couple's release order, said the jail authorities have completed all formalities. "Medical fitness certificates will now be mandatory for their release," he added.