SC rejects Rajiv Gandhi assassin's plea for early release

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassin Nalini Sriharan for early release from prison. Sriharan is currently incarcerated in the Vellore Central Prison in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier this year, the SC commuted the death sentence of the co-accused Sri Lankan nationals Murugan and Santhan and of A G Perarivalan, who is an Indian. Their sentences were commuted on the grounds that there had been a delay in the Centre deciding their mercy plea. The release of four others, who had been given life sentences for the assassination, was also announced by the state government, citing provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

However, the Supreme Court rejected their release and constituted a Constitutional Bench to look into the matter.

The former Prime Minister's assassins were convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act in January 1998. Three of the accused had been awarded the death sentence and four had been awarded life sentences.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack in Sriperumbedur, Tamil Nadu, on May 21, 1991.