TN Cabinet recommends release of all Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts

The Cabinet meeting was presided over by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam and other ministerial colleagues. In the meeting that was held for more than 90 minutes, four resolutions were adopted, including the resolution of freeing the Rajiv convicts following the Supreme Court’s direction asserting the state’s right on releasing the convicts in the case.

“The recommendation would be sent to Governor Banwarilal Purohit immediately and he has to act on the resolution. He cannot refuse to accept the recommendations,” said Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, while addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting. “Section 161 of the Indian Constitution has been quoted in the resolution and sent to the Governor. The rights of the state have been interpreted by the Supreme Court,” Jayakumar added.

When asked if there were chances of the Governor rejecting the resolution of the State government, he said that the Governor, as the executive head of the state, has to implement the orders of the government. “It is mandatory for the Governor to accept the recommendations of the state government and to pass orders,” Jayakumar noted. 

When asked whether Purohit would send the recommendations to the Centre, the Minister said there was no need for it as was specified by the SC. “The Governor himself can take action on the resolution adopted by the state,” he added. After the resolution was adopted, Arputhammal, mother of Perarivalan alias Arivu, met Palaniswami at his residence and thanked him for passing the resolution to free his son and six others.

The state cabinet’s decision to send Governor Baniwarilal Purohit a resolution to release the seven convicts came days after the Supreme Court asked the Governor to consider the mercy petition of AG Perarivalan.