TN cited SC's May 18 verdict to back plea for early release

Supporting the plea for early release of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, the Tamil Nadu government also referred to the May 18 verdict, which held that the governor’s decision to refer their remission plea to the President despite a recommendation by the TN cabinet was without any constitutional backing and “was inimical to the scheme of our Constitution”.

- AmitAnand.Choudhary @timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 

In its affidavit in response to Nalini’s petition along with others, the state said, “The petitioner has been in incarceration for the past 30 years and 4 months and her case has also been recommended to the Governor of Tamil Nadu for premature release under Article 161 of the Constitution along with other six life convicts involved in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, which also includes the case of co-accused A G Perarivalan who was released by this court.”