Rajiv's murder suspect seeks early release

Nalini Murugan, sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in former PM Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, renewed her plea for early release.

Nalini Murugan, sentenced to life imprisonment for her involvement in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, renewed her plea for early release on Wednesday, Rajiv's 17th death anniversary.

HT Image

"It is an appropriate occasion to start a fresh rethink on the whole issue of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and its aftermath as the victim's daughter Priyanka Vadra herself has expressed a wish to Nalini personally that she was prepared forgive," Murugan's lawyer S Doraiswamy told IANS.

"Since a decision has already been taken at the highest level to commute Nalini's death sentence to life imprisonment on humanitarian grounds after everyone applied their minds carefully, there is no need to go through the whole tiring process once again. We expect authorities concerned to consider the request favourably, resulting in Nalini's release soon," Doraiswamy added.

Priyanka Vadra had visited Nalini in the Vellore Central Prison March 19.

Nalini's petition filed in the Madras High Court seeking early release on technical grounds will be heard again June 10.

Her death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment following a recommendation from Gandhi's widow and Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi.