Arputhammal opposes PC’s response on Rajiv convicts

When asked about the DMK’s election manifesto assurance on releasing the convicts, the former Union Minister on Saturday said it was the court that must decide on the issue.

Arputhammal tweeted, “Mr Chidambaram, giving punishment is the court’s jurisdiction. The government has the power to commute the sentence and release the convicts. This is what the law states. To say that the court has to decide on releasing the convicts is unacceptable. Does the Governor and the elected government have power under Article 161 or not?” 

Significantly, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to Chennai on March 13, said that he harboured no hatred towards the convicts and asserted that it was for the courts to decide on their release. 

He said the assassination of his father in 1991 had two aspects. “While one was personal, which we have dealt with, the other was the legal issue, which has to take its course. Whatever course the legal issue takes, we are happy with it. We are quite forgiving people, we do not have animosity or hatred towards anybody,” Rahul said.