Notice to Centre, T.N. on Nalini’s plea

The Rajiv assassination convict has challenged provisions of the CrPC

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government on a writ petition filed by Nalini Sriharan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, whose release had been stayed, challenging Section 435 Cr.PC. which provides for consultation with the Centre before a State exercises its powers of remission to release a life convict.

A Bench of Chief Justice R.M. Lodha and Justices Madan B. Lokur and Kurian Joseph issued the notice seeking a response in four weeks.

In her petition, Nalini said she has already served more than 23 years of imprisonment. She is awaiting premature release as per the scheme of the State of Tamil Nadu but the apex court had stayed that order.