Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Reactions from senior jurists, activists on decision to free Rajiv assassins
TNN | Feb 21, 2014,
Life sentence need not mean life in prison. Our justice system stands for reformation, and this doesn't translate into incarcerating someone till death. Only ignorance of what justice means can lead someone to oppose the release of convicts. That is being savage and blind. Releasing them proves the magnanimity of modern India. They have served 22 years in prison and have records proving their reformation and good conduct.
Justice VR Krishna Iyer
Releasing them doesn't mean they are acquitted or exonerated. This is remission. They have already gone through enough, with the gallows always in sight for 22 years. The Supreme Court judgement commuting their death sentence to life upholds the constitutional values followed by the Indian judiciary. Hanging someone or putting them behind bars until death is not the way to justice. I feel it is high time a larger SC bench reconsidered the death sentence for 'rarest of rare' crimes
Justice KT Thomas
One has to draw a distinction between substantive rights of convicts, procedural matters and political factors. The state government's announcement to release them is fair as they deserve their right to remission since they have served jail term for this long. Political gains, procedural matters or the rivalry between state and Centre should not cloud the rights of the convicts in prison. Let them not be denied justice because the issue is mired in controversy
V Suresh, People's Union for Civil Liberties
The assassination changed the future of our country. Elections were postponed. I believe there should be some deterrence and those who are convicted cannot claim innocence. Any attempt to make them heroes or martyrs is unfortunate. If at all they are released from prison, all procedures should be followed, and then may be allowed to lead a normal life
D R Karthikeyan, former CBI director
For last 22 years, I have been fighting for justice for my son. This is a matter of legal procedure. Since chief minister J Jayalalithaa has made an announcement that she will release them soon, we are not worried. I am sure she will not deny justice. He has every right to come out and live a normal life like any other citizen
Arputhammal, mother of Perarivalan
TNN | Feb 21, 2014,
Life sentence need not mean life in prison. Our justice system stands for reformation, and this doesn't translate into incarcerating someone till death. Only ignorance of what justice means can lead someone to oppose the release of convicts. That is being savage and blind. Releasing them proves the magnanimity of modern India. They have served 22 years in prison and have records proving their reformation and good conduct.
Justice VR Krishna Iyer
Releasing them doesn't mean they are acquitted or exonerated. This is remission. They have already gone through enough, with the gallows always in sight for 22 years. The Supreme Court judgement commuting their death sentence to life upholds the constitutional values followed by the Indian judiciary. Hanging someone or putting them behind bars until death is not the way to justice. I feel it is high time a larger SC bench reconsidered the death sentence for 'rarest of rare' crimes
Justice KT Thomas
One has to draw a distinction between substantive rights of convicts, procedural matters and political factors. The state government's announcement to release them is fair as they deserve their right to remission since they have served jail term for this long. Political gains, procedural matters or the rivalry between state and Centre should not cloud the rights of the convicts in prison. Let them not be denied justice because the issue is mired in controversy
V Suresh, People's Union for Civil Liberties
The assassination changed the future of our country. Elections were postponed. I believe there should be some deterrence and those who are convicted cannot claim innocence. Any attempt to make them heroes or martyrs is unfortunate. If at all they are released from prison, all procedures should be followed, and then may be allowed to lead a normal life
D R Karthikeyan, former CBI director
For last 22 years, I have been fighting for justice for my son. This is a matter of legal procedure. Since chief minister J Jayalalithaa has made an announcement that she will release them soon, we are not worried. I am sure she will not deny justice. He has every right to come out and live a normal life like any other citizen
Arputhammal, mother of Perarivalan
