TSIT ■ New Delhi
The Supreme Court on Friday directed that the six convicts undergoing life imprisonment for former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination be set free. The apex court noted that they should be released as their remission of sentence was recommended by the Tamil Nadu government. A two-judge Bench headed by Justice B R Gavai passed the order after two convicts — Nalini Srinharan and R P Ravichandran — moved the top court seeking premature release.
The Supreme Court said they needed to be released on the same grounds used to free another convict, A G Perarivalan. “We allowed their (Nalini and Ravichandran) plea and directed their release. Applicants are thus directed to be released unless wanted in any other case. Matter accordingly disposed of,” the court said. The court said the order passed in the case of Perarivalan will be applicable to both Nalini and Ravichandran. It had earlier in May directed that Perarivalan be released.
The court noted that both Nalini and Ravichandran had displayed good conduct in the prison and had been behind bars for a very long period.
“Nalini has been behind bars for over three decades and her conduct has also been satisfactory. She has a PG diploma in computer application. Ravichandran’s conduct has also been found to be satisfactory and he has undertaken various studies during his incarceration including a PG diploma in Arts,” the court said. Perarivalan was released based on a recommendation given by the Tamil Nadu government in September 2018. The seven convicts in the assassination case are Nalini Sriharan, Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas and Ravichandran.
