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Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: Convicts Recommended To Be Released
The Tamil Nadu Government recommended the State Governor to release the seven persons convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case. It was quoted by the NDTV that a resolution to this effect has been adopted. The State Governor responded by stating that it has used its power under Article 161 and therefore recommended Governor to release the convicts. He further asserted that it is mandatory for the governor to accept the recommendation given, since the governor represents the state.
The present case relates to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by woman suicide bomber. The convicts have spent more than 25 years in jail. Earlier, the Supreme Court disposed of a petition filed by the Centre against the proposal of the Tamil Nadu Government to release the convicts. The Centre said that the remission of their sentence will set a dangerous precedent and that the case involved the assassination of a former Prime Minister in a brutal manner.
One of the convicts in the case, filed a mercy petition but not action was taken by the Governor yet. Therefore, the Bench disposed of the Centre’s petition. It further observed that the application under Article 161 has been filed by one of the convicts and therefore, the authority has liberty to decide the said case.
It was also quoted in the NDTV Report that the Supreme Court had asked the Governor to consider the plea of Perarivalan and also that the State has decided to recommend setting free of all other convicts, because even they have sought premature release.
