‘Release of Rajiv murder convicts sub judice’

State Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam asserted the government’s stand in the state Assembly while responding to a query raised by MMK MLA Thamimun Ansari during the debate on demand for grants for law, administration of justice and prisons department. 

Participating in the debate, Ansari asked the government to act on the euthanasia plea of Robert Payas, release Perarivalan on parole, both convicts in Rajiv murder case. He also sought to know if the government would release lifers who had served over 14 years during MGR’s centenary, particularly two sick prisoners lodged in the Puzhal prison. 

Intervening, Shanmugam referred to a unanimous resolution adopted in the Assembly during former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s tenure to facilitate the release of the Rajiv case convicts and said the apex court had ordered not to release them without the consent of the Centre, which should only decide on the issue considering the pendency of a related case.  

On release of other lifers on MGR Centenary on humanitarian grounds, the Minister said the matter would be decided in consultation with the Chief Minister. Talking to DT Next at the Secretariat after meeting senior ministers, Ansari said the ministers have assured to constitute a committee and act on its recommendation on the issue.