THE POLITICS OFDELAY

UPA’s over 5-year delay opened up the door to political opportunism but NDA too dragged its feet

October 17, 1999 The four death row convicts send clemency petitions to Tamil Nadu Governor.

October 27, 1999 Governor rejects the pleas.

November 25, 1999 Madras High Court quashes Governor’s rejection of the clemency petitions.

April 19, 2000 Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi commutes Nalini’s death sentence after Sonia Gandhi writes to him for clemency.

April 28, 2000 Tamil Nadu government forwards clemency pleas of Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan to the President. Kalam does not act on plea.

June 21, 2005

plea to President MHA, under Kalam UPA, after resends five-year delay. No decision from President.

August 12, 2011

rejects clemency President petition Pratibha after a Patil four-year wait.

August 26, 2011 Execution of three convicts fixed for September 9, 2011.

August 30, 2011 Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution urging the President to commute the death sentence.

August 30, 2011 Madras High Court stays execution of Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan. Petitions transferred to Supreme Court later.

May 1, 2012 Supreme Court says it would hear the petitions of three convicts.

February 18, 2014 Supreme Court commutes the death sentence on grounds of delay in disposing their mercy pleas.