SC ruling gives hope for death row convicts in Rajiv case, says Vaiko

A file picture of MDMK general secretary Vaiko at the party office in Chennai. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam.

The Supreme Court verdict commuting death penalty of 15 convicts has given hope that the three death row convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case could get similar relief, MDMK leader Vaiko said on Tuesday.

Describing the Supreme Court ruling as “panacea” and “opening the way” for abolishing the death sentence in India, he said the case relating to Rajiv Gandhi would come up for hearing in the Apex Court on January 29.

“We have hope that the death penalty of three convicts in the Rajiv case will be commuted on the basis of this judgement,” he said.

MDMK, well known for its strong pro-Eelam stance has formed a pre-poll alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu.