CHANNAI, india— A day after the Supreme Court commuted the death sentences of three men to life imprisonment who were convicted of killing former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the Tamilnadu state government on Wednesday decided to release them and other convicts after due consultations with the union government of India.
“The decision of cabinet about their release will be conveyed to the Centre for appropriate action. If we don’t get their response in three days, we will release all convicts in accordance with the rights granted under Indian Constitution,” chief minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram informed the state assembly.
The Congress members walked out of the House protesting against the state government’s decision.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam on Tuesday commuted the death sentences of Perarivalan, Murugan and Santhan on the ground of a delay of nearly 11 years in deciding their mercy petitions.
It is noteworthy that the state government has the right to release convicts who have completed 14 year terms after considering their behavior. In comparison, Sikhs in Punjab and other parts of India who have even completed their full sentences have yet to be released.
