NEW DELHI: In view of the medical reports of Mr. Gandhi’s health, Government have decided to release him unconditionally. This decision has been taken solely on medical grounds. The release takes place at 8 a.m. on May 6.

The ‘communique’ was handed without comment to Press correspondents at midnight, but vague rumours of the Government’s decision were afloat … during the day.

The Viceroy is away from Delhi and is expected back at the capital early next week. Only two members of the Executive Council, Sir Mohammad Usman, Member for Posts and Air, and Sir John Thorne, acting Home Member, are now in Delhi; the others are on tour. Sir Sultan Ahmad, Member for Information and Broadcasting, left this morning [May 6]. There has been no meeting of the Executive Council this week and it is presumed, therefore, that the decision to release Mr. Gandhi was taken either in London or by the Viceroy himself.

The only comment heard here on the announcement is that if Mr. Gandhi recovers, as it is hoped he will, the release would prove to be the first step towards a possible political settlement. Mr. Gandhi was arrested with other members of the Congress Working Committee on August 9, 1942.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2019