Day after SC ruling, Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Nalini released from jail
Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: A day after the Supreme Court ruling, Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Nalini Sriharan was released from Vellore jail on Saturday.
The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of six convicts in the assassination of the former Prime Minister, including Nalini Sriharan and RP Ravichandran. Both had been serving a life sentence in the case. A Bench of BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna passed the order while taking into consideration the good conduct of convicts in the prison.
Visuals on social media saw Nalini, the longest serving woman prisoner in India at 31 years, being taken to complete her release formalities at Vellore jail. The convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case was spotted smiling and waving to waiting mediapersons as she was escorted to a police van post her release.
The Supreme Court noted that they had been behind bars for a very long period. "Applicants are thus directed to be released unless wanted in any other case. Matter accordingly disposed of," the bench stated in its order, granting their pleas for 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."
Apart from Nalini, the other convicts in the case are Ravichandran, Robert Payas, Jayakumar, S Raja, and Shriharan.
On May 18, the Supreme Court had evoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to release AG Perarivalan, who was one of the seven convicts in the assassination case.
Nalini and Ravichandran had approached the apex court seeking release from prison-like fellow convict AG Perarivalan. The Tamil Nadu government had 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.
Notably, Nalini, who is out on parole at present, had moved the Supreme Court seeking the early release from jail. The Madras High Court had earlier turned down her plea.
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and BV Nagarathna said the judgment in the case of AG Perarivalan is applicable in their matter too.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had on May 18 ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, another convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, who had served more than 30 years in jail. The apex court had exercised its special powers under the Constitution’s Article 142.
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The Article enables the Supreme Court to pass orders to ensure complete justice in a case. Nalini cited Perarivalan’s case as filed her petition.
- ANI
