NEW DELHI, India— Thursday February 27, 2014, India’s Supreme court put a stop to the release of four convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case ordering status quo on a plea by the Center government, and challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to release them. The court issued a notice to the state government and to the four prisoners regarding the Center’s plea against their release.
The apex court bench, headed by Justice P Sathasivam, passed an order that the central government’s plea would be heard on March 6, 2014.
The Court questioned why the Center rushed to the apex court rather than replying to the state government’s letter seeking to know the stand of the Union government regarding the release of the prisoners.
“Is the Center rushing the case, or you are rushing it?” the bench asked the state government, and stated that it will first consider the maintainability of the Center’s petition, before going into its merits. The bench made it clear that every state must be aware of, and follow, proper procedure for release of prisoners.
