SC orders release of Rajiv Gandhi’s killer Perarivalan
Wednesday, 18 May 2022 (12:44 IST)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered release of AG Perarivalan, one of the convicts who was serving life for his involvement in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination that took place on May 21, 1991.
Thirty years after he was convicted for procuring batteries that were used in making the bomb that blew up the Congress leader during his poll campaign in Chennai suburb Sriperumbudur, the court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution.
His mercy plea was moved between the Tamil Nadu Governor and the President. Perarivalan was initially handed a death sentence, but later it was commuted to life imprisonment.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice LN Rao and also comprising Justices BR Gavai and AS Bopanna reserved the order on May 11.
Perarivalan, currently out on bail, had moved the top court seeking direction for his early release.
His lawyer, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, had told the apex court that his conduct has been good during his jail time and hence he should be released.
He was arrested at the age of 19 and was sentenced to death in May 1999 along with two other convicts. His sentence was later commuted to life sentence over long pendency of mercy petition.
An earlier pardon request made by him and another pardon request made by the state of Tamil Nadu in 2018 was denied by the Governor. Perarivalan was earlier granted bail by the top court. (UNI)
