Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: Confident that Governor Will Respect People’s Feelings, Says Tamil Nadu Government

The Tamil Nadu government said that it was confident that Governor Banwarilal Purohit "will respect people’s feelings which reflects in the cabinet’s recommendation" for the release of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, reported the Indian Express. The seven convicts are sentenced to life imprisonment.

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar told reporters in Chennai.“The government is confident that Governor Purohit will realise the Tamil people’s feelings and expectations and take a good decision at an appropriate time.” He said he was confident that the government will “take an expeditious decision” in the matter.

In September, Nalini Sriharan -- life convict in the assassination case forwarded a petition to the state home secretary. She urged the government to consider a plea for early release.

IE has mentioned in its report that the state cabinet recommended to the governor "the release of Nalini, her husband Sriharan alias Murugan, Perarivalan, Robert Payas, Jayakumar, Ravichandran and Santhan on 9 September."

The report adds, "Murugan, Santhan, Jayakumar and Payas are Sri Lankan Tamils and have been in prison since 1991 following the assassination of the former prime minister at Sriperumbudur near here on 21 May 1991."

The Hindustan Times reported that Congress has attacked the state government and centre after the AIADMK government recommended the release of "AIADMK government recommended release of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins.”