Chennai : With the Supreme Court on Tuesday commuting the death sentence awarded to three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, political parties DMK, MDMK and CPI along with the convicts' relatives demanded their release from prison.
The three convicts - Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan - were charged with criminal conspiracy that led to the killing of Rajiv Gandhi.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment, holding that the 11-year delay in deciding their mercy petitions had a dehumanising effect on them.
Elated at the news, Perarivalan's mother Arputhammal told the media in Chennai that she was happy at the Supreme Court's decision.
"I hope the Tamil Nadu chief minister would help in my son's release. I thank all the human rights organisations, political parties, media and others who supported us," she said.
The death sentence to fourth convict Nalini, who is married to Murugan and who became a mother in prison, was commuted to life imprisonment after her mercy petition was accepted. The petition had the recommendation of Rajiv Gandhi's widow Sonia Gandhi.
The state government has, however, opposed Nalini's bail application.
Nalini's mother Padmavathy met her at the Vellore jail, around 100 km from Chennai, and, while thanking the Supreme Court chief justice for his ruling, appealed to Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to release the convicts.
Murugan's mother Somani also met her son in Vellore. She thanked the media and others for their support.
Expressing happiness at the Supreme Court's decision, DMK president M. Karunanidhi urged the central and state governments to release the convicts from jail.
He said there were procedures and precedents on the release of life convicts which the central and state governments can follow.
MDMK leader Vaiko said the judgment should be etched in golden letters in India's judicial history. He also urged the state government to release the convicts.
Communist Party of India's Tamil Nadu secretary D. Pandian also urged the state government to release the convicts as they have spent more than two decades behind bars.
Rajiv Gandhi was killed by suicide bomber Dhanu at an election rally in Sriperumbudur near Chennai on May 21, 1991. Fourteen other people also lost their lives in the blast.
In 1998, all the 26 accused in the case - including the three - were sentenced to death by a special trial court.
In 1999, the Supreme Court had confirmed the death sentences of four - Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan and Nalini. The capital punishment of the others was reduced to varying terms of imprisonment.
Soon after the confirmation of their sentences, they made a mercy plea to the president but it was rejected on August 11, 2011.
The three convicts - Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan - were charged with criminal conspiracy that led to the killing of Rajiv Gandhi.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday commuted their death sentences to life imprisonment, holding that the 11-year delay in deciding their mercy petitions had a dehumanising effect on them.
"I hope the Tamil Nadu chief minister would help in my son's release. I thank all the human rights organisations, political parties, media and others who supported us," she said.
Advertisement
The state government has, however, opposed Nalini's bail application.
Advertisement
Murugan's mother Somani also met her son in Vellore. She thanked the media and others for their support.
Advertisement
He said there were procedures and precedents on the release of life convicts which the central and state governments can follow.
Advertisement
Communist Party of India's Tamil Nadu secretary D. Pandian also urged the state government to release the convicts as they have spent more than two decades behind bars.
Advertisement
In 1998, all the 26 accused in the case - including the three - were sentenced to death by a special trial court.
In 1999, the Supreme Court had confirmed the death sentences of four - Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan and Nalini. The capital punishment of the others was reduced to varying terms of imprisonment.
Soon after the confirmation of their sentences, they made a mercy plea to the president but it was rejected on August 11, 2011.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma Unite For Noble Cause, Donate For Charity Auction On CSK Retaining MS Dhoni As Uncapped Player, R Ashwin's Big Question 11 Years Of Chennai Express: Celebrating The Electrifying Onscreen Chemistry Of Shah Rukh Khan And Deepika Padukone Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Private Jets, Luxury Cars: Lavish Life Of "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha Watch: Turkish MPs Fight During Debate On Jailed Opposition Leader "Shoot Me Up With...": What Matthew Perry Told Assistant Hours Before Death Private Jets, Luxury Cars: Lavish Life Of "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.