Rajiv Gandhi Assassination: Centre files review petition against order to release convicts

In a key development, Centre filed a review petition in Supreme Court against its order for  release of all convicts in case of assassination of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, on Thursday, vember 17.

On vember 11, a bench of Justices B R Gavai and B V Nagarathna set free Nalini Sriharan and five or remaining convicts who were serving life terms for about three decades, ting that its earlier order releasing ar convict AG Perarivalan was equally applicable to m. Invoking its extraordinary power under Article 142 of Constitution, ar bench of Justices  L Nswara Rao BR Gavai and AS Bopanna had on May 18 ordered release of Perarivalan, who had served over 30 years in jail.

"It is submitted that said order granting remission to  convicts who had assassinated former Prime Minister of  country was passed without affording an adequate opportunity of hearing to Union of India [which was a necessary party to present lis] or being formally impleaded as a party to petition," Centre said in review petition.

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

'Unacceptable & unfortunate'

After order, Congress had expressed disappointment and shock over verdict, calling it 'unacceptable' and 'unfortunate'.  party's general secretary in-charge of communication Jairam Ramesh issued a statement on behalf of grand old party, and said, " decision of Supreme Court to release remaining killers of former PM Shri Rajiv Gandhi is totally unacceptable and completely erroneous. Congress Party criticises it clearly and finds it totally untenable. It is most unfortunate that Supreme Court has t acted in consonance with spirit of India on this issue."

Rashid Alvi, in an exclusive conversation with Republic, said, "It is really unfortunate. body will be happy. It was Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of this country. He died because of a huge conspiracy, and she (Nalini) was a part of conspiracy. This is very unfortunate. You cant have a soft corner for any criminal, especially those who have killed an ex-Prime Minister."

Digvijaya Singh, ar senior leader said, "re could t be anything more shameful for us than release of those who killed Rajiv Gandhiji with cruelty."