Is it the END for Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts?

Chennai, Aug 26: The end game for the convicts charged for former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination seem to be drawing to a close. After President Pratibha Patil rejected the mercy pleas of the three convicts, the information was passed on to the Vellore Prison by the state government. This news was communicated to the convicts through the superintendent of Vellore prison.

Home secretary Rameshram Misra stated in his letter to the jail superintendent, “I am directed to enclose the copy of the letter cited for necessary action. A report of the action taken may please be sent to the government early."

The convicts in question are Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan who are expected to receive the letters soon. The jail authorities commented, "The hanging will take place on the seventh working day after the handing over of the order to the prisoners."

The President had rejected the mercy pleas on Aug 11. The three were arrested soon after their assassination attempt on May 21, 1991. The Supreme Court had also passed their death sentence in 2000. The President, however prolonged the decision-making on the issue for 11 years.

There have been earlier instances where the court has commuted death sentences in the event of the President taking a prolonged time to decide on mercy petitions leading to heightened agony for convicts. Leaders like DMK Chief M. Karunanidhi and Opposition leader Vijayakanth have urged to commute the death sentence at the earliest.

With Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa's response still awaited on the mercy pleas by convicts, the human rights activists and convicts families are expected to move the high court on Friday.

OneIndia News