National

Rajiv case: life convict challenges order

New Delhi: One of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, P.R. Ravichandran, on Friday moved the Supreme Court challenging a Tamil Nadu order directing release of prisoners who had completed 10 years of imprisonment but excluding cases investigated by the CBI.

The petition filed by advocate V. Ramasubramanian said Ravichandran had completed 15 years of actual imprisonment. He and his mother had made many representations for his release but these were rejected.

Mr. Ramasubramanian said the National Human Rights Commission had recommended to all States that every life convict be considered eligible for premature release on his serving out 14 years of actual imprisonment i.e. without remission. The commission, however, clarified that a 14-year term in prison by itself would not entitle the convict to automatic release and the Review Board would have the discretion to release a convict at an appropriate time.

Tamil Nadu, by its G.O. Ms. No. 873 dated September 14, 2006, ordered the release of 472 life convicts, who had completed 10 years of actual imprisonment.

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