Rajiv Gandhi

Almost 32 years back, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur near Chennai by a woman suicide bomber Dhanu at an election rally, which was held by the Congress party.

AG Perarivalan is among the seven convicts ? Perarivalan, Nalini, Murugan alias Sriharan, Santhan, Ravichandran, Robert Payas and Jayakumar ? who were given death sentences in Gandhi’s assassination case.

However, after several years, the death sentences were converted into life sentences and the convicts were serving their respective jail terms. However, the Supreme Court, on Wednesday afternoon, granted bail to AG Perarivala.

AG Perarivalan was only 19 years old when he was arrested on 11 June 1991. He was imprisoned after he was found guilty of conspiring to assassinate the former PM. 

Perarivalan, who is in his fifties, still maintains that he had nothing to do with the assassination of Gandhi and was clueless about it. He said he was just asked to arrange one eight-volt battery, which he did.

However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was of the opinion that he was guilty. The CBI also claimed that he was in touch with the masterminds who killed Gandhi and that he had even exchanged few messages vis-à-vis Gandhi’s assassination. After going to jail, he appeared for this 12th boards exam, in which he secured 91.33%.

Perarivalan became the highest scorer prisoner in the history of Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai.

He also bagged a gold medal in a diploma course at Tamil Nadu Open University. He pursued course of Bachelor in Computer Application (BCA) in Indira Gandhi Open University and completed his MCA. Perarivalan also ran a music band in jail with his prison inmates.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, last year in 2021, had ordered to provide 30 days of ordinary leave to Perarivalan on medical grounds. Perarivalans mother Arputham Ammal had said, I thank Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for swiftly granting leave by understanding the feelings of a mother, learning about Arivus health and reviewing the petition.

On May 18 2021, Ammal, on social media, had said, The COVID-19 spread and the consequent deaths in Tamil Nadu prisons are creating a frightening situation. The prison medical team has already said that the infections create a risky situation for Perarivalan, who is already suffering from several other diseases. Also, there is a need to continue his medical treatment.

She added, So I have sent a plea seeking a long leave on May 10. Considering these, I request CM Stalin should review the petitions and swiftly take action.”