SC grants bail to Rajiv Gandhi case convict, spent over30 yrs in Jail

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict AG Perarivalam. “Taking into account the fact that the applicant has spent over 30 years in prison, we are of the considered view that he is entitled to be released on bail, inspite of the vehement opposition by the Centre,” the bench noted. The bench comprising Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice BR Gavai passed the order is a special leave petition filed by Perarivalan in 2016 against the refusal of the Madras high court to entertain his plea seeking commutation of sentence. The bench noted that Perarivalan is on parole at present and was given parole thrice earlier.

As per the SC order, Perarivalan would have to follow the conditions of release and would have to report before the local police officer every month. He also is not allowed to leave his native village, Jholarpetai, around 100 km from Chennai, without reporting to the police. The Centre opposed the grant of bail as additional solicitor general KM Narataj submitted that Perarivalan has already availed the benefit of mercy petition once and his death penalty was commuted to life sentence by teh Supreme Court in 2014.