Crime
Rajiv Gandhi’s assassin AG Perarivalan: Student who bagged gold medal, became topper in jail
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.”
Politics
Never thought I’d get such warmth, love after leaving Congress, says Ghulam Nabi Azad
Never thought I’d get such warmth, love after leaving Congress, says Ghulam Nabi Azad…

Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing public meeting at Banihal
Chairman of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said he never imagined he would receive such love and warmth after quitting the Congress party. Azad, on Saturday, remarked, “I had never thought that after leaving Congress, the people of Jammu and Kashmir would receive me with this kind of warmth and love.”
Azad said that after quitting the grand old party, more and more people were joining his new party; they have faith in him. He said, “It gives me more responsibilities and challenges to meet the expectations of people. People feel dejected and disappointed with the present governing system.”
Addressed a public meeting at Banihal- the place close to my heart. People especially youth seem desperate for change. My promise to you all, I will elevate Banihal as the centre of economic activities where you will not only have enough jobs but the development will speed up 1/2 pic.twitter.com/VG1fMywu4b
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) March 21, 2023
Azad said he aimed to build a better and progressive Jammu Kashmir where the future of youth is secure. He said if his party came to power, he would bring the massive developmental revolution across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad also asserted that his politics was based on inclusiveness, development and peace. Speaking at the public meeting in Eidgah at Srinagar, Azad, said that unlike other parties who try to divide people for political benefit, he aimed to develop Jammu and Kashmir inclusively where each person irrespective of religion, caste and creed felt politically and socially empowered.
Addressed a gathering of workers at Anantnag today where DDC Chairman Anantnag Mohd Yousuf Gorsi sahib, DDC Member Adv Saleem Parray sahib, joined our party fold. I assure you all, will never let you down & will lead from the front to ensure your rights & future is safe & secure! pic.twitter.com/sqWo4nY6JA
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) March 20, 2023
Azad concluded, “Be it statehood, land or jobs, I will lead my people from the front to secure their rights. My people are my priority. I have come back to Jammu Kashmir only for my people otherwise, I had all the opportunities I could desire ever in my life.”
Also read: Gadkari again receives death threat calls from same caller
Nagpur News
BREAKING: Gadkari again receives death threat calls from same caller

Nitin Gadkari
In a rather shocking incident amid the high security C20 conference in Nagpur, the Public Relations Office of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari again received two death threat calls today morning (March 21). According to the information received, once again there have been threatening calls received in the name of a criminal named Jayesh Pujari alias Jayesh Kantha.
Employees of the senior BJP leader’s office alerted Nagpur Police and security has been beefed up outside the office in Khamla and the leader’s residence on Wardha Road. However, cops are yet to ascertain whether the call was actually made by the same person who had issued death threats to Gadkari in January.
On January 14 this year, an unidentified extortionist, claiming to speak on behalf of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, threatened to kill Gadkari in an explosion if he didn’t pay him ₹100 crore.
The caller threatened Gadkari though a phone call on the landline number of his Public Relations Office (PRO) at Khamla in Nagpur (around one kilometre away from his residence) at 11:25 am, 11:32 am, and 12:30 pm.
The employees of the office alerted the police after the threat call, where in the caller also threatened to blow up Gadkari’s office. Nagpur Police immediately beefed up the security outside Gadkari’s office and residence.
It was later revealed that a notorious gangster named Jayesh Pujari had threatened to kill Gadkari by allegedly making the three threat calls illegally using a cellphone while he was lodged in Belgaum Jail at Karnataka.
In 2016, Pujari had even escaped after breaking the jail. The gangster, in the past too, had threatened several senior officers and other people in a similar manner.
Also read: NMC spends ₹20 crore on lighting trees for C20 in Nagpur
Nagpur News
Arush Chitre wins Open Group, Shraddha Bajaj bags first spot in Girl Group
Arush Chitre in Open Group and Shraddha Bajaj in Girls Group annexed the title of the Nagpur District Under-17 Open and Girls Chess Championship organised by Chess Association Nagpur on 19th March 2023 in association with GH Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation at Vivekanand Hall at Shraddha House in Nagpur.
Arush Chitre, seeded second, improved his position to achieve the title scoring 6.5 out of 7. Ayush Ramteke also scored 6.5 points but was placed second based on their tie-break score.
In the Girls Group, second seeded Shraddha Bajaj took the top spot with 4.5 points out of 5 Rounds. Fifth seeded Swanandi Sole followed her to take second place in the merit list with 4 points out of five.
Arush Chitre and Ayush Ramteke shall represent the Nagpur District in Open Group and Shraddha Baja and Swanandi sole shall represent Nagpur District in Girls Group in the Maharashtra State Under 17 FIDE Rating Chess Championship to be held at Buldhana from 14th April 2022 to 16th April 2023.
Prizes were distributed at the hands of Swapnil Ahirkar Joint Secretary NCP Business Cell Maharashtra, Social worker & Director Ahirkar Group of Nagpur. Bhushsan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur and Chief Arbiter Deepak Chavan were present on the dais. Top five finishers in Open and Girls Group got the trophies while medals were given to top two in under 15,13,11,09,07 category.
Deepak Chavan, Chief Arbiter successfully conducted the event assisted by SNA Sagar Sakhare, SNA Prayas Ambade and Prathamesh Machave.
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