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Congress to seek review of SC order on Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts

On Nov 11, SC directed the release of six convicts serving life term

Nalini Sriharan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, arrives at Katpadi police station amid tight security Nalini Sriharan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, arrives at Katpadi police station amid tight security, in Vellore | PTI

The Congress, outraged at the Supreme Court's decision to release six convicts serving life imprisonment in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has decided to seek a review of the apex court's order.

According to party sources, a decision has been taken to file a fresh review application in the Supreme Court challenging the decision to release the convicts in the assassination case on the grounds set out in the court's order.

The modalities of the move are being worked out and the review application could be filed in the next three to four days, as per party sources.

In the backdrop of the severe criticism from the Congress of the premature release of the convicts in the assassination case, the Centre had last week moved an application in the Supreme Court seeking a review of the order. The Congress had responded to the Centre's decision to seek a review of the order, saying it was a case of wisdom dawning belatedly. The principal opposition party has accused the BJP government at the Centre of being apathetic towards the case.

“What's the point in locking the door after the horse has bolted!” AICC General Secretary in charge of Organisation K.C. Venugopal had tweeted with regard to the Centre's decision to seek a review of the apex court's order.

The Supreme Court had on November 11 passed an order directing that six convicts serving life term in the case be released. The court had followed the norms on the basis of which another convict in the case, A G Perarivalan had been released from jail on the orders of the same court in May 2022.

Meanwhile, the apex court's order resulted in otherwise staunch allies, the Congress and the DMK, issuing diametrically opposite reactions. Asked if the court order had put any strain on the Congress-DMK relations, a senior leader indicated that the divergence would not go beyond the statements issued by the two parties.

“We have already publically expressed our disgust at political parties celebrating the release of convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case,” the senior leader said.

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