Rajiv convicts release: Guv to take call based on MDMA probe

Shanmughasundaram.J@timesgroup.com

Chennai:21.03.2020

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit would decide on the Tamil Nadu cabinet’s recommendation to release the seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case based on the outcome of a probe by the CBI’s multi-disciplinary monitoring agency (MDMA) into the conspiracy angle.

Citing the correspondence between the state home secretary and Purohit’s secretary, state minister for law, courts and prisons C Ve Shanmugam on Thursday told the assembly, “The governor will decide on the TN cabinet’s recommendation to release the seven life convicts, based on the report of the MDMA probe into the conspiracy angle in the assassination (of the former PM)”.

Responding to the questions raised by MLAs Thayagam Kavi (DMK) and U Thaniyarasu on the status of the cabinet’s 15-month-old resolution, the minister said, “Everyone wants them to be freed as they were incarcerated for 28 years. But, there is no time frame for the governor to take a call on it.”