Another convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case seeks parole

The Madras high court on Thursday (September 26) issued a notice to prison authorities on a petition filed by Robert Payas, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, seeking 30-day parole to make arrangements for his son’s marriage who is residing in Netherlands.

A division bench of Justices MM Sundresh and RMT Teekaa Raaman ordered the notice to Deputy Inspector General of Police, Prisons and the Superintendent of Police, Central Prison, Puzhal, returnable within two weeks.

It may be noted that another convict, Nalini was granted parole in July last to make arrangements for her daughter’s wedding after she argued her case in person. The petitioner submitted that he has been in prison since August 16, 1991 and has completed actual imprisonment of more than 28 years.

During this period, he said he had not utilised the emergency or ordinary leave provided to him under the Tamil Nadu Suspension of Sentence Rules, 1982, despite his good conduct in the prison.

He has also given an undertaking that he would be residing at the residence of his lawyer Chandrasekaran at Adyar, Chennai. He also submitted that he moved the court as there was no progress on the representation made by him to the DIG of Prison Department to grant parole of 30 days.

On September 12, the Madras High Court dismissed Nalini Sriharan’s plea seeking an extension to her parole till October 15. Nalini, a life convict in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. She has been on parole since July 25 for making arrangements for her daughter’s wedding.

Earlier, Nalini stated in her plea that the wedding arrangements are in progress but her mother-in-law’s arrival from Sri Lanka to India has been delayed due to visa issues. Mentioning that her mother-in-law will arrive soon, Nalini requested for an extension in the parole but the division bench Justice Teekaa Raman and justice Sundresh rejected her plea.

Payas and six other people are serving life imprisonment in the case related to the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi by a suicide bomber at an election rally in Sriperumbudur area of Kanchipuram district in the state on May 21, 1991.

(With inputs from agencies)