A convict, Robert Pious, who has served 26 years in prison after being convicted for former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, has requested the Puzhal Prison authorities for mercy killing.According to another news report, Pious wrote in the letter to the prison authorities that that he has lost all purpose in life as his family does not visit him in the prison anymore, and...
A convict, Robert Pious, who has served 26 years in prison after being convicted for former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, has requested the Puzhal Prison authorities for mercy killing.
According to another news report, Pious wrote in the letter to the prison authorities that that he has lost all purpose in life as his family does not visit him in the prison anymore, and therefore, has sought permission for euthanasia.
Pious claims that the government does not intend to release him and he would never again be a free person.
He, therefore, wants mercy killing and his body to be handed over to his family.
Robert Pious, along with six other persons, were convicted in 1991 for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Three out of these seven convicts were awarded the death sentence.
The Jayalalithaa-led government of Tamil Nadu, in 2014, ordered a release of these seven prisoners. However, this order was stayed by a constitution bench of the Supreme Court in 2015, on the ground that the power to do the same lies with the Centre. The Supreme Court’s decision has been appealed by the state of Tamil Nadu; however, the matter is still pending before the court.