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VK Sasikala, expelled AIADMK leader and a close aide of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has been released after spending four years in a Bengaluru jail in a corruption case. She will, however, remain in a hospital in the city as she is being treated for Covid. She will also continue to get protection from Karnataka Police as long as she remains in the state.

All the formalities for the release will be carried in the hospital, said the prison officials. After the release, she may have to spend a minimum of 10 days at the medical facility, said Victoria Hospital Authorities.

Sasikala had contracted the virus on January 20 and was admitted to the Bowring hospital before being treated at the COVID-19 specialist centre.

The ex-AIADMK leader's release comes on a day when the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated a ₹ 79 crore memorial for Jayalalithaa along Chennai's Marina Beach.

Sasikala was sentenced to four years in prison in 2017 in the ₹ 66 crore disproportionate assets case in which Jayalalithaa was the prime accused. Her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi and Jayalalithaa's foster son VN Sudhakaran were also convicted in the case.

Her time in the Bengaluru jail also saw allegation of her being given special treatment at the central jail where she was lodged.

Her release comes just months before the assembly election in Tamil Nadu. She tested positive for coronavirus just six days before the date of her release.

Sasikala completed 4 years in prison with her sister-in-law J llavarsi and Jayalalitha's foster son VN Sudhakaran. In the disproportionate case, Sashikala was ordered to pay a fine of Rs 10 crore. The amount was deposited in Bengaluru court this week.