Man sets himself afire condemning death penalty for 3 convicts

Chennai, Aug 30: A man on Monday, Aug 29 suffered burns after he set himself ablaze here allegedly condemning the death sentence awarded to three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, police said.

The 43-year-old Selvam of West Saidapet here has been admitted to hospital with 40 per cent burns, police said.

On Sunday, a 22-year-old woman, Sengodi of Kancheepuram, succumbed to her injuries after she set herself on fire condemning the death sentence awarded to Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had said in the state assembly on Monday that she had no power to alter the Presidential order rejecting the clemency plea of the three convicts and called upon the youth "not to act upon impulse."

The three are scheduled to be hanged on September 9 at the central prison in Vellore where they are presently imprisoned.

PTI