Arputhammal’s 23-year wait stretched further to get her son released

SC refers Rajiv assassins case referred to constitution bench

Chennai:

The 23 years long wait for the mother of Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, stretched further  after the Supreme Court referred to the constitution bench the issue of waiving the jail terms of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Arputhammal, who was eagerly expecting her son’s release along with six others, suffered a blow when the Supreme Court referred the case to a constitution bench.

“I was waiting for my son’s release by Monday but now it got delayed. Why it happened, I don’t know. But I will continue my struggle to free my son,” the mother said trying to fight back her tears.

Arputhammal said that her son’s innocence has been proved by law. “The former CBI Superintendent of Police, V Thiagarajan has  admitted that he failed to record verbatim the confession of Perarivalan. We have faith in judiciary. He will be released,” she said.

“I believe he will be released in a month or two,” she said. “We never tried for parole. “We never forced Thiagarajan to admit about the lapses. He conscience has forced him to admit the

Arputhammal said that now she pins her hope on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. “She will surely ensure my son is freed,” Arputhammal said.

To a query whether the release of convicts has been politicized, Arputhammal said that her son had been languishing in the prison for 23 years. “How long can they politicize it,” she said.

She said she has been affected by the verdict but the struggle will continue to seek Perarivalan’s release.