The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Perarivalan, who killed former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was in jail for 31 years and was released on the plea of the Tamil Nadu Government.
The 50-year-old was 19 when he was arrested on June 11, 1991. Perarivalan was accused of supplying two 9-volt battery cells for Sivarasan, the LTTE man who was behind the conspiracy. The batteries, which were brought by Perarivalan, were used in the bomb that killed the former Prime Minister on May 21 that year.
The court convicted Perarivalan in 1998 for the assassination case. However, the apex court granted bail to him on March 9 this year after noting his long imprisonment of over 30 years and no history of complaints when out on parole.
The Supreme Court used its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution while ordering the release of Perarivalan.