Life convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case gets parole

The Madras high court bench in Madurai on Wednesday granted two weeks parole to Ravi alias Ravichandran, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Justice V Ramasubramanian directed the Tamil Nadu home secretary to release Ravi on parole for two weeks on a petition by his mother P Rajeswari of Virudhunagar district seeking the relief for settling some family property matters.

Rajeswari, who sought a month's parole for Ravi, said her representation to the state home secretary and others was rejected on the ground that his presence was considered 'dangerous or prejudicial' to public peace and tranquility in his home district Virudhunagar, Rajeswari said.

Rajeswari submitted that the home secretary's statement was false as the Prison Probationary Officer had stated that Ravi's behaviour was good and if he was released on parole, there would not be any problem in Virudhunagar.

She said the officials could grant leave to a prisoner to make arrangements for livelihood of his family and for settlement of life after release.

Besides Ravi, Robert Piaz, Nalini and Jayakumar are undergoing life terms in the case relating to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi during an election rally in Sriperumpudur in May, 1991.