Bleach awaits a clean slate

Bleach’s release follows intense lobbying by the British Government, especially after the release of five Latvians, co-accused in the armsdrop, on July 22, 2000. The presidential pardon was announced after a meeting between visiting British Home Secretary David Blunkett and L K Advani on January 30.

While expressing his ‘‘delight’’ at being a ‘‘free man at last’’, Bleach said: ‘‘Nothing can replace the years that I have lost.’’ Addressing a press conference soon after his release, he said: ‘‘It has been a long struggle since 1995 and I feel vindicated that the Government of India has finally taken the decision to free me, as it did the five Latvians who were released in July 2000. This is not the time for me to go into details of my case but I wish to affirm that I stand by my convictions.’’

Thanking the President for his clemency, he added: ‘‘These years have not been easy. I am now eagerly looking forward to returning to the UK and seeing my family again…In fact, I spoke to them just now, perhaps, that was the first taste of freedom.’’

‘‘He remains convicted in the Purulia armsdrop case. With that stigma, he would not be able to travel to any other country,” said legal activist Deepak Prahladka.