New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that the governor’s delay in seeking the early release of Perarivalan, who was arrested in the Rajiv murder case, is unacceptable.
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a grenade when he visited Tamil Nadu in 1991. Seven people, including Perarivalan, were arrested and jailed in the case. All seven are serving nearly 30 years in prison. In 2018, the Tamil Nadu cabinet met and passed a resolution to release seven people, including Perarivalan, and sent it to the governor for approval. The governor did not make any decision on the resolution.
The apex court, which heard the Perarivalan case, had also questioned the governor’s stance on the cabinet decision on the early release of seven people. The apex court also directed the governor to take a decision in due course. In this regard, during the hearing held today (Dec. 7), ‘the Governor is bound by the decision of the Cabinet. But the governor did not take a timely decision, ‘the Tamil Nadu government argued.
Following this, the Supreme Court judges said, ‘It is unacceptable for the Governor to delay the decision of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet to release Perarivalan and others. The governor should take an immediate decision on the matter, ‘the judges said, adding that the case was adjourned to January as requested by the federal government and that the federal government should not be asked to adjourn the case further.
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