Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that his government strongly hope and believe that Governor Banwarilal Purohit will take a positive decision with regard to the release of seven Rajiv Gandhi murder case convicts.
Chennai:
To a question raised by senior DMK leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Duraimurugan in on the floor of the House, Palaniswami said, “Since it is the discretion of the Governor, we are waiting for a good decision from him.”
During the debate on the budget, Duraimurugan urged the AIADMK government to approach the Governor seeking the release of seven life convicts, including AG Perarivalan in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case since they have served more than two decades in the prison.
“Chief Minister or any other representative from the government could talk to the Governor for their release,” he said adding that the state is the only hope in this regard.
Alleging that the state government came forward to release the convicts in the Dharmapuri bus burning case since the accused were AIADMK cadre, Duraimurugan said, “likewise, the government should take steps and prevail upon the Governor for the early release of the seven convicts.”
State Law Minister CVe Shanmugam immediately intervened and explained that the state had already recommended the premature release of all seven convicts and it is up to the Governor to take a right decision.
“We do not have any difference of opinion on the early release of the convicts. However, the Governor does not have any time frame to take a decision on it,” he said adding, “even in the Constitution or any court order, there is no deadline given to the Governor in this connection.”
Citing Duraimurugan’s statement on the Dharmapuri bus burning case, Shanmugam said, “they were released under the state government’s premature release scheme to mark the birth centenary of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and therefore, it cannot be compared with these seven convicts,” he added.
During the debate, Opposition leader and DMK president MK Stalin also claimed that the apex court also said that the government could approach the Governor for the release of seven convicts.