Convicts in Rajiv killing begin hunger strike, demand release
NALINI STARTED FAST ON SATURDAY; MURUGAN HAS BEEN ON HUNGER STRIKE SINCE FEB 2
CHENNAI: Nalini Sriharan and Murgan, two lifetime convicts in the assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, have started an indefinite hunger strike in Vellore Central prison demanding an early release. They have also appealed to the Tamil Nadu governor to release the other five convicts in the case — Perarivalan, Santhan, Robert Payas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran.
According to P Pugazhendhi, Nalini’s legal counsel, since the TN governor Banwarilal Purohit has not responded to the TN Cabinet’s resolution passed in September last year which demanded the release of seven convicts, the husband and wife duo have started an indefinite hunger strike. Nalini started her fast on Saturday but her husband Murugan has been on a hunger strike since February 2.
“Even though all the seven convicts have spent most of their lives in prison, it is not fathomable why the Governor is delaying the signing of papers enabling their release inspite of the TN cabinet resolution recommending the same,” said Pugazhendhi.
The Tamil Nadu cabinet had passed a resolution in September last year which had urged the TN Governor to release the seven convicts under section 161 of the constitution.
Nalini has also written a letter to the governor seeking the early release. “I want to go away from the earth by observing fast from Saturday morning, till I accomplish eternal freedom. Justice was denied to us for the past 28 years. We all are just innocent and circumstances made investigation officers to bring us under this case,” Nalini said in a letter to Governor. Pugazhendhi also said they would file a petition before the Court seeking a direction to the Governor to take action on the TN Cabinet’s resolution.
When one of the convicts Perarivalan taken the issue of release to Supreme Court in August last, the Union Government had declined to release the seven accused saying that it would set a wrong example.