Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: HC rejects convict's plea for release
The Madras High Court on Friday rejected the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Nalini's plea for premature release. The court had earlier this week said it will pronounce the judgment on Friday on an appeal filed by Nalini, a life convict in former PM Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. A division bench had reserved the order on April 24 on the plea by Nalini.
In 2014, Nalini sought premature release under the 1994 scheme
The bench, comprising Justices KK Sasidharan and R Subramanian, reserved the order challenging the order of a single judge rejecting her prayer for premature release under a 1994 state government scheme under Article 161 (powers of Governor to grant pardon). In a February 2014 representation to the government, Nalini had sought premature release under the 1994 scheme and had later moved the court.
Tamil Nadu government opposed the plea
The state government had opposed the plea citing pendency of a similar matter in the Supreme Court then. Following this, the single judge had asked it to consider the representation subject to the outcome of the apex court proceedings.
Nalini will have to wait for outcome of the matter
The Supreme Court in its March 2016 order made it clear that for premature release pleas under CrPc Section 435, the concurrence of the Center was required in cases handled by central agencies like CBI. Upholding the single judge's order, the division bench said Nalini will have to wait for the outcome of the matter pending before the Supreme Court, and dismissed her appeal.
