“Ex-convicts from Rajiv Gandhi case return Sri Lanka.”
“Three ex-convicts in Rajiv Gandhi case return home on Wednesday.”
In a development that has garnered significant attention, three ex-convicts from the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, all Sri Lankans, returned to their home country on Wednesday. Murugan, also known as Sriharan, Jayakumar, and Robert Payas, embarked on their journey back to Sri Lanka via a Sri Lankan carrier, officials confirmed.
The return of these individuals marks a pivotal moment in the aftermath of one of India’s most high-profile and tragic cases.
Their release had sparked debate and discussion across the nation, with many divided on the decision to grant them liberty after years of incarceration. The convicts had served lengthy prison terms for their roles in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.
Murugan, Jayakumar, and Robert Payas, along with their fellow convicts, had spent years behind bars, their lives entwined with the tumultuous history of the case. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, a tragic event that shook the nation, had far-reaching implications for Indian politics and security.
The Supreme Court’s decision to release these individuals was based on considerations of legal and humanitarian grounds. It took into account factors such as their time served, conduct in prison, and their roles in the assassination plot.
However, their return to Sri Lanka has reignited discussions on justice, closure, and the complexities of dealing with cases of such magnitude. For the families of the victims, including the late Rajiv Gandhi, the wounds of the past may still be raw, and the release of the convicts serves as a reminder of the painful chapter in their lives.
In Sri Lanka, the return of Murugan, Jayakumar, and Robert Payas has also sparked reactions and reflections. Their presence in the country reopens discussions on the historical and political ties between India and Sri Lanka, as well as the complexities of cross-border legal proceedings.
As these individuals step onto familiar soil once again, they bring with them the weight of their past actions and the hopes for a new beginning. Their return to Sri Lanka marks the closing of one chapter in a long and intricate saga, while also opening doors to new questions and contemplations on justice, reconciliation, and the complexities of human lives intertwined with history.
Following their release, the three ex-convicts from the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case were accommodated in a special camp in Tiruchirappalli. They arrived at their destination last night and departed for Colombo today.
The Tamil Nadu government had previously informed the Madras High Court that the ex-convicts could return to their home country once the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a deportation order.
In preparation for their return, the Sri Lankan High Commission in India had facilitated the issuance of travel documents for Murugan alias Sriharan, Jayakumar, and Robert Payas. These documents were crucial for their smooth transition back to Sri Lanka, allowing them to embark on their journey from India to their home country with the necessary legal clearance.
In a somber turn of events, it was reported that another Sri Lankan national convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Santhan, had recently passed away in India. This news added a layer of poignancy to the developments surrounding the release of the ex-convicts from the case.
Santhan, along with Murugan, Jayakumar, and Robert Payas, was among the Sri Lankan nationals who had been convicted for their involvement in the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.
Their fellow convicts, Perarivalan, Ravichandran, and Nalini, on the other hand, are all Indian nationals. These individuals, too, were granted freedom by the Supreme Court in November 2022 after serving lengthy prison terms.
The collective story of these seven individuals is one intertwined with the complex history of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. They had spent over three decades behind bars, their lives marked by the weight of their actions and the legal proceedings that followed.
The recent passing of Santhan serves as a poignant reminder of the toll taken by the long years of imprisonment and the enduring impact of the case on the lives of those involved. It is a reflection of the human cost of such tragic events and the lasting scars they leave on individuals and families.
As Murugan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Perarivalan, Ravichandran, and Nalini navigate their paths post-release, they carry with them the memories of the past and the hopes for a new beginning. Their release marks the end of a chapter in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, yet the reverberations of this historic event continue to resonate across India and Sri Lanka.
The story of these individuals, their trials, convictions, and eventual release, is a testament to the complexities of justice, the passage of time, and the enduring quest for reconciliation and closure in the wake of tragedy.