Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict attacked in jail cell in Vellore
Chennai: A.G. Perarivalan (44), one of seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case lodged in Vellore prison, was on Tuesday attacked by another inmate, police said.
At around 6. 45 am, Perarivalan, who was in his cell when Rajesh Kanna (46) attacked him, suffered injuries on his hands and head. Doctors used six stitches to close his body wounds. “It was totally unexpected. He came and spoke to me inside the cell. He went out and came back with rod and attacked me,” Perarivalan told his mother later.
Perarivalan’s cell was kept open in the morning at a time when inmates are allowed to step out of their cells. “After spending more than 25 years in jail, he had to suffer this now. All these years I have been pleading for parole. It was just not happening. I will take care of him if he is let out on parole,” Perarivalan’s mother Arputhammal told this newspaper after paying a visit to her injured son.
It appears the attacker wanted to protest against the jail administration and he showed it on my son, she said. “He had suffered injuries on his head, hand and legs. I want the government to intervene and help me to bring my son back home,” Arputhammal added.
According to jail officials, Perarivalan is being treated at the prison hospital. “He was attacked with an iron rod by Rajesh Kanna, a kidnap and murder accused who is undergoing life term for the last 13 years. The attacker was earlier lodged in Puzhal prison and was shifted to Vellore in 2012,” jail sources said. Rajesh had used iron rod used to clear blocks in the drains in the jail premises, sources said.
Bagayam police station in Vellore district has registered a case against Rajesh under IPC section of 324 (causing hurt using dangerous weapon) and 506 –2 (criminal intimidation and threat to cause death or grievous hurt).
Rajesh, a native of Madurai, was one of the convicts lodged in the high security block where Perarivalan is also incarcerated. Rajesh was recently shifted to another block and he believes Perarivalan was the reason behind it. However, jail officials maintained that an internal enquiry is on to know the background of the attack.
Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a LTTE suicide-bomber during a pre-election rally in Sriperumbudur near Chennai on May 21, 1991. Seven persons — Murugan, Santhan, Perarivalan, Nalini, Robert Payas, Jayakumar and Ravichandran - were convicted in the case. Murugan’s wife Nalini’s death sentence was commuted to life in 2000 following a cabinet recommendation and appeal from Rajiv’s wife, Sonia Gandhi.
The Supreme Court had commuted the death sentence of Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan in February 2014 following delays in deciding on their mercy plea. Though the Tamil Nadu government had in March this year decided to remit the sentences of all the seven convicts, the matter soon went to the Supreme Court with the Central government questioning the State’s powers to grant remission.
Ramadoss, Vaiko seek Perarivalan’s release
Expressing shock over the attack on Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict Perarivalan by a co-prisoner inside the Vellore jail, PMK founder S. Ramadoss and MDMK leader Vaiko on Tuesday sought to release him on parole.
Ramadoss said there could not be any reason to attack Perarivalan as he is friendly with other prisoners and said there might a conspiracy behind the attack.
He also alleged negligence in treating Perarivalan who is ailing from many diseases and sought the release of all the seven prisoners convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
Vaiko too apprehended a conspiracy and said the state government should conduct an enquiry to find the reasons for the incident.
