Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala was released on Wednesday after completion of four year jail term in connection with an assets case, reported PTI quoting authorities in Bengaluru.

However, Sasikala, who tested positive for COVID-19, will continue to be treated for the infection.

She tested positive for COVID-19 on January 20 and was admitted to the Bowring hospital initially before being shifted to the dedicated COVID-19 centre at the Victoria hospital. It is not clear when she would be discharged from the hospital.

In February 2017, former AIADMK leader was sentenced to four years imprisonment in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case along with her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi and and Jayalalithaa’s foster son VN Sudhakaran.

A medical bulletin released on Wednesday stated that Sasikala was conscious, alert and well oriented. “Her pulse rate is 76/minute and blood pressure is 166/86 mmHg,” read the statement by Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute.

Sasikala, a close confidant of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalthaa, was held guilty in a disproportionate-assets case on February 14 2017, just when she was positioning to take over as chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

Soon after Jayalalithaa’s death February 5 2017, Sasikala was unanimously elected legislature party leader of the AIADMK. But Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao delayed announcing her as the new Chief Minister, waiting for the verdict in the disproportionate assets case. On February 14, 2017, VK Sasikala was convicted and sentenced to 4 years sentence in Bangalore Parapana Jail. The Governor, then rejected her claims to become Chief Minister. VK Sasikala then convened a meeting where she picked Edpappadi K. Palaniasamy as the new chief minister.

But a lot has changed in the party since, O Panneerselvam, whom she ousted from the CM’s post before going to the prison, is back in the AIADMK. Her CM choice Palaniswami has joined hands with Panneerselvam and ousted her from the party’s top post. Sasikala’s nephew TTV Dhinakaran has floated his own party, AMMK.