Chennai: Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam’s indication that the verdict on a petition relating to the release of all seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case would be given in a week has led to fears ofpolitical repercussions in TN ahead of the April 24 Lok Sabhapolls, DMK chief M Karunanidhi has alleged.
Addressing his party’s election rally here on Saturday, he said that the“advantages and disadvantages of the Chief Justice himself announcing at a public function that the verdict on such an important case would be pronounced before the parliamentary polls and whether such an announcement was in tune with judicial ethos should be pondered overand decided accordingly which will help uphold the court’s principles and benefit everybody.”
On February 20, the apex court stayed the State government’s order on the release of the convicts, saying that there had been procedurallapses on the part of the state. “With polling scheduled on April 24, Justice Sathasivam saying that an important verdict would be pronounced before his retirement date of April 25 has led to fears among many whether it would lead to a politicalrepercussion and created a big debate among advocates,” he said in a statement here.
