SC gives relief to Rajiv murderers

Supreme Court gave relief to the 15 persons, who were convicted with death sentence for assassinating former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. The apex court giving its verdict today has declared that keeping in view of abnormal delay takes place in resolving their mercy petitions by the government, the death sentence can be converted into life term imprisonment.

The court stated that the mental agony faced by the convicted due to delay in taking a decision by the government on their mercy petitions is not justified. So, the court converts their death sentence into life sentence and also of the four associates of sandalwood smuggler late Veerappan, who are facing death sentence.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in year 1991 and ever since the guilty are fighting a legal battle. Although, President of India rejects their mercy petitions in the last year, Madras high court has stayed their death sentence responding to several petitions filed in their favor. Finally, the apex court has given them life with its latest verdict.