Arputhammal, VCK MPs meet Shah

Arputhammal was accompanied by Lok Sabha members and VCK leaders Thol Thirumavalavan and D Ravikumar.

They submitted a memorandum to Shah demanding the release of all the convicts, an issue which was pending before the Governor.

Later, talking to reporters, Arputhammal said Shah assured them that he would consider their plea and take necessary steps on the matter. She said she had been fighting for the release of her son for the last 28 years.

Recently, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami told the state Assembly that the state was committed for the release of all theseven convicts.

He said, “based on the verdict of the Supreme Court, the state cabinet adopted a resolution recommending their release under Article 161 of the Constitution and the same has been forwarded to Governor Banwarilal Purohit.”

It was up to the Governor to take a decision, he added.

The seven convicts, V Sriharan alias Murugan, T Suthanthiraraja alias Santhan, AG Perarivalan alias Arivu, Jayakumar, Robert Payas and Nalini, were in jail for

the last 28 years and the demand for their release has been gaining momentum with various political parties urging the state government to exert pressure on the Governor to act on the state Cabinet resolution.

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet had on September 9 last year, adopted a resolution recommending to the Governor to release all the seven convicts under Article 161 ofthe Constitution.

The decision to release all the seven convicts was taken in

line with the September 6 Supreme Court order, which had asked the Governor to consider the mercy plea of Perarivalan for premature release. Based on this the Cabinet had recommended to the Governor to release all the convicts.

A Bench of Justices comprising Ranjan Gogoi, Naveen Sinha and KM Joseph had on September 6 disposed of a plea filed by the Centre opposing the state government’s proposal for the release of the convicts, and asked the Governor to consider the mercy plea of Perarivalan.

The Raj Bhavan had on September 15 said a just and fair decision would be taken in accordance with the Constitution.

The Raj Bhavan said it was a complex case and involves examination of legal, administration and Constitutional issues and the papers would be processedscrupulously.