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Death rap for 4 in Rajiv assassination case

Nineteen of the 26 accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case got a reprieve when the Supreme Court today acquitted them while confirming the death sentence on four others.

The apex court also commuted the capital punishment into life imprisonment in the case of the remaining three.

While Nalini, her husband Murugan, Santhan and Arivu are to be sent to the gallows, the capital punishment awarded by the designated court in Madras to Jai Kumar, Robert Pias and Ravi Chandaran was commuted into life sentence by a majority of 2-1.

The much-awaited verdict was pronounced by a three-judge bench comprising Justices K T Thomas, D P Wadhwa and S S M Quadri.

The former prime minister was assassinated by a human bomb on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur near Madras, where he had gone to address an election meeting. Eighteen other people were killed and 43 seriously injured.

The judgement was pronounced in the jam-packed court number 11.

Justice Thomas, the presiding judge, confirmed the capital punishment awarded by the designated court to Santhan, Murugan and Arivu. Justice Wadhwa also confirmed the death sentence on Nalini. Justice Quadri concurred with Justice Wadhwa.

The bench also confirmed the conviction of 17 others for minor offences under the Arms Act, Indian Explosive Act, Passport Act and Indian Wireless Act but ordered their release forthwith since they had already served varying periods of imprisonment. The remaining two were acquitted of all the charges since the prosecution failed to prove its case against them.

The verdict -- on the appeal filed by the 26 accused against the judgment of the designated court in Madras - has ended the most challenging criminal investigation in independent India.

UNI

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