Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: Life Convict P. Ravichandran Granted 30 Days Ordinary Leave By TN Government

P.Ravichandran, one among the seven life convicts in the assassination case, has been granted ordinary leave by virtue of Section 432 of CrPC (Power of Government to suspend or remit sentences) and Rule 40 of Tamil Nadu Suspension Of Sentences Rules, 1982 (Power of Government to give exemptions to the Rules).

Previously, upon the petition of the convict's mother (W.P(MD)No.15626 of 2021), the Madurai Bench had asked the Government to consider the application already submitted by her to the State of Tamil Nadu. The bench comprising of Justice V. Bharathidasan and Justice S. Ananthi also asked the state to pass a suitable order on her application within 6 weeks. In her application, P. Rajeswari, the mother of P. Ravichandran, informed that her son requires surgery in his right eye and hence the necessity of two months' ordinary leave had arisen.

The life convict serving the sentence for over 29 years now, has been granted ordinary leave six times since 2001 excluding the current instance.

The 30-day leave starting from the date of release from prison is subject to certain conditions to be fulfilled by P. Ravichandran. He has been instructed to reside at the place specified in the leave petition and not to go beyond its limits. He is also required to not engage with the media and not to share any information through social media. The convict is also expected to surrender himself upon the expiry of leave or on recall, and he does not have permission to contact any person other than his family members.

Tamil Nadu Government has also given directions to provide strong police escort to the convict during the leave period and submit a daily compliance report on the extent of P. Ravichandran's conformity with the conditions for temporary suspension of sentence. He is also required to report to the nearest police station daily and not to take part in any meetings or functions.