The Supreme Court on Friday ordered premature release of all six persons, who were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The Bench of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice B.V. Nagarathna ordered premature release of Nalini Sriharan, R.P. Ravichandran, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Santhan and Murugan on the grounds that their conduct inside the prison had been satisfactory and that they had been languishing in jail for a very long time.
The Apex Court observed that the order passed in the case of another convict in the case, A.G. Perarivalan, would be applicable to them as well.
The top court of the country noted that Nalini, who had a PG diploma in Computer Application, had remained in jail for over three decades and her conduct had been satisfactory.
For Ravichandran, the Apex Court observed that he had undertaken various studies during his time in jail, including a PG diploma in Arts. The convict even collected various amounts for charity, noted the Court.
It said the conduct of Robert Pais had also been satisfactory and he was suffering from various illness. Pais has obtained various degrees during this period, noted the Court.
In case of Jaikumar, the top court of the country observed that his conduct was found satisfactory and he also has taken various studies.
Suthenthira Raja was also suffering from various ailments. He has written various articles, which have not only been published, but have also received awards, the Court further observed and directed for their release, unless they were wanted in any other case.
On May 18 this year, the Supreme Court had evoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to release Perarivalan based on a recommendation given by the Tamil Nadu government in September, 2018.
Following the development, Nalini and Ravichandran approached the Madras High Court in June, seeking the same relief.
However, the High Court refused to entertain the plea, stating that it did not have the same powers as the Supreme Court under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution and asked them to move the Apex Court.
Later, the remaining four convicts also filed similar pleas before the top court.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a LTTE suicide bomber named Dhanu, while he was about to address an election rally.
In May, 1999, the Supreme Court had upheld the death sentence of four convicts in the case, including Perarivalan, Murugan, Santhan and Nalini.
The top court of the country commuted the death sentence of Nalini in 2001, on the grounds that she had a daughter to raise. A similar relief was provided to Perarivalan, Santhan and Murugan in 2014, on the grounds of delay in deciding their mercy petitions.