Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts go on indefinite hunger strike for early release

Tribune Web Desk 
Chandigarh, February 11

Two convicts serving life sentences for assassinating former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi have gone on an indefinite hunger strike at Vellore Central Prison five months after Tamil Nadu cabinet recommended their early release.

Nalini Sriharan and her husband Murugan are questioning Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit  delay in releasing them despite the cabinet’s approval. They also want five other convicts in the case— Perarivalan, Santhan, Robert Payas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran—released.

The Newsminute has quoted Nalini’s letter to the governor as saying: “"I humbly take leave from Earth by going on fast from 9-2-2019 Saturday morning, till I attain eternal bliss”.

“We have been denied justice repeatedly. We are yearning to come out of this hell where we spent 28 years. We are innocent; we got caught in this case due to the circumstances,” the website said quoting the letter.

Her husband Murugan has been on hunger strike since February 2.   

Tamil Nadu cabinet had passed a resolution approving their release in September. All convicts in the case have spent some 27 years in prison so far.