As the assassins of PM Rajiv Gandhi walk free, India questions the Mercy Law

Nalini Sriharan and 6 others convicted to death for the assassination of India’s former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, walk free after spending over 30 years in jail. What is the law of clemency and does it apply to everyone?
#rajivgandhiconvictscase #rajivgandhiassassination #rajivgandhi

Sources

The Hindu
Perarivalan, Rajiv Gandhi case convict, released by Supreme Court citing extraordinary powers, Krishnadas Rajagopal, May 18, 22
‘Congress had no role in dismissing DMK govt in 1991’, IANS; April 14, 16
Masarat Alam back in jail, Zahid Rafiq, April 23, 15

The Indian Express
The story of Nalini Sriharan, and her role in Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, Explained Desk; Nov 17, 22
Who are the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, freed by the Supreme Court? Arun Janardhan; Nov 17, 22
‘Belief in my innocence kept me alive’: Nalini Sriharan’s first reaction after walking out of jail, Express Web Desk; Nov 14, 22
Supreme Court order on Rajiv case underscores Governor’s role, says Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, PTI; Nov 12, 22
The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, and why Supreme Court has freed all convicts; Nov 12, 22
On Sanju movie release, a look back at when Sunil Dutt reached out to Bal Thackeray for Sanjay Dutt’s release, Express Web Desk, June 29, 18

Swarajyamag.com
Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: SC Invokes ‘Extraordinary Power’ Under Art 142 To Order Release Of All 6 Convicts, Swarajya Staff, Nov 11, 22

Scroll.in
From empathy to regret: M Karunanidhi’s uneasy involvement with Sri Lanka’s Tamil Eelam problem, Vasanthi; Nov 2, 20

Outlook
Bilkis Bano Seeks Review Of Remission In SC;
Why Is Her Petition So Important?; Abhik Bhattacharya; Nov 30, 22
Why The Gandhis Forgave Rajiv Gandhi’s Killers But Congress Can’t; Rakhi Bose; Nov 28, 22
Rajiv Gandhi Death Anniversary: The Story of Assassination, Conviction And Controversies, Outlook Web Desk; May 21, 22
What is Article 142 SC Invoked to Free Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Convict? Has It Been Used Before?; May 18, 22

The Times of India
SC criticises UP for delay in releasing lifer in jail for 16 years; Dhananjay Mahapatra; Jan 6, 23
Rajiv Gandhi killers released, now set me free too: Life convict to Supreme Court, Dhananjay Mahapatra, Nov 17, 22
Correct The Error, Editorial; November 19, 22
Nalini’s long road to freedom, A Subramani; Nov 12, 22
Release us now, say 2 Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, TNN, Nov 24, 12

Indiankanoon.org
State of Tamil Nadu Through ….vs Nalini and 25 Others on 11 May, 1999

The Tribune
Release Bandi Singhs’, demand SAD, SGPC as Supreme Court sets free Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts, By a Staff Reporter; November 11, 2022

Deccan Herald
Timeline: Perarivalan’s arrest and release, ETB Sivapriyan, May 18, 2022

Frontline
The accused, the charges, the verdict; T S Subramanian, Praveen Swami; Feb 7, 1998
Unravelling the plot, T S Subramanian, Feb 7, 1998
Justice vs Jain, A G Noorani; Feb 7, 1998
Karunanidhi hits back, N Ram; Nov 29, 1997

The Print
IPKF heroes were ignored for 30 years. They are finally getting their due under Modi govt, Lt Gen A S Kalkat (Retd); July 27, 21
Take care, Rajiv Gandhi told Prabhakaran. Even gave bulletproof vest before Sri Lanka Accord, Vandana Menon, Humra Laeeq, Raghav Bikhchandani; July 28, 22

Economic Times
Tamil Nadu cabinet suggests release of all Rajiv case convicts, Bharani Vaitheesvaran, Sept 10, 18

India Today
Will SC decision to free Rajiv killers bring closure to Gandhis?; Rasheed Kidwai, Nov 11, 22
Release all life convicts after 10 years in jail unless …: Supreme Court; Kanu Sarda; Sep 15, 22
Release all life convicts after 10 years in jail unless …: Supreme Court; Kanu Sarda; Sep 15, 22
Getting away with murder: Jayalalithaa plays politics with the verdict on Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins; Sandeep Unnithan; Mar 12, 14
Two letters prove that assassination was ordered by Pirabhkaran; By A Staff Reporter; Sept5, 13.
President Pratibha Patil has granted a record 30 pardons in the last 28 months; Damayanti Datta; June 25, 12

Hindustan Times
TN govt backs release of convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, By HT Correspondent; Oct 13, 22
Death commuted to life for 3 in Rajiv Gandhi killing, India News, Feb 19, 14

Livelaw.in
Supreme Court Orders Release of All Convicts In Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case, November 11,22

The Wire
Jailed 27 Years for Assassination He Knew Nothing About, Perarivalan Deserves a New Life, Jeya Rani; June 11, 18

NDTV
“Very Sorry For Them”: Rajiv Gandhi Case Convict Nalini Sriharan’s Message For Gandhis; J Sam Daniel Stalin & Abhimanyu Kulkarni; Nov 13, 2022

Sri Lanka: The Untold Story, Chapter 47
Questions over Gandhi’s killing
K T Rajasingham, ‘Asian Times,’ Singapore, 02
https://sangam.org/sri-lanka-the-untold-story-chapter-47/

The Pleaders
The executive power to pardon under the Indian Constitution; Ankita Jangid; Oct 1, 21
https://blog.ipleaders.in/the-executive-power-to-pardon-under-the-indian-constitution/