Joyous scenes mark stay order

The Madras HC stay on the execution of three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case had an electrifying effect on groups and individuals in Tamil Nadu campaigning for commutation of the death sentence. HT reports.

The Madras HC stay on the execution of three convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case had an electrifying effect on groups and individuals in Tamil Nadu campaigning for commutation of the death sentence.

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Activists assembled on the court premises rejoiced after a man flashed the victory sign from the first floor corridor, conveying the essence of the ruling, around 11.10am.

Minutes earlier, word had reached that the state assembly had passed a resolution appealing to President Pratibha Patil to review mercy pleas of Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan. Perarivalan's mother Arputhammal said, "I had lost hope of seeing my son alive, but today's court decision and assembly resolution have given me new hope."