SC orders pre-mature release of six convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination

The apex court on Friday ordered the release of 6 convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination including Nalini Sriharan and RP Ravichandran serving life imprisonment in the case.

“Applicants are thus directed to be released unless wanted in any other case. Matter accordingly disposed of,” the bench stated in its order while allowing their pleas for release.  

While taking into consideration the good conduct of convicts who have been behind the bars for quite a long time , the Supreme Court had ordered their release. The top court further said, “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. He has also collected various amounts for charity.”

The top court released Nalini, Ravichandran, Robert Payas, Jayakumar, S Raja, and Shriharan. Nalini Sriharan and R P Ravichandran moved the plea in Madras High Court seeking their premature release; however court refused to grant the same. The Madras High Court while turning down the petition had stated that it did not have special powers that the Supreme Court has under Article 142 of the Constitution and hence, it cannot order their release, like the Supreme Court did for Perarivalan in May 2022.

Tamil Nadu government had also earlier recommended the pre-mature release of convicts saying that its 2018 aid and advice for the remission of their life sentence is binding upon the Governor.  

Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991, at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally.