Perarivalan's kin on cloud nine, Stalin, others hail verdict

Initially handed capital punishment by a special court in Chennai which was later commuted to a life term, Perarivalan said he first wants to "breathe," apparently the air of freedom, before thinking about his future.

Thirupattur (Chennai): "I have just come out. It has been 31 years of legal battle. I have to breathe a bit. Give me some time," Perarivalan said when reporters asked how did he feel like a "free bird" and what were his future plans. "I firmly believe there is no need for capital punishment. Not just for mercy...many justices including Supreme Court chief justices have said so and there are many examples. Everybody is human," he said, with his mother Arputhammal and relatives by his side.

"Many unknown people have supported us. I don't know many people. I thank all of them," an emotional Arputhammal said while recalling the "31-year battle" her son endured. Perarivalan later played the 'parai' an ancient Tamil percussion instrument, in an obvious sign of celebrating his freedom. Welcoming the judgement, Chief Minister M K Stalin said it could find a place in the "Justice-law-political-administrative history."

He recalled the state had placed firm arguments in the court on Perarivalan's plea before the SC. Just after the judgement was pronounced by the apex court releasing Perarivalan, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, relatives began arriving at his residence here. Perarivalan offered sweets to Arputhammal. The mother-son duo thanked all those who stood by them.

His sister and her family who hastened to meet and greet Perarivalan turned emotional and expressed great joy over his release. They hugged him and expressed their joy. Peravialan's father Kuildasan expressed great happiness over his son's 30-year incarceration coming to an end. When reporters asked about his future plans, including wedding, such matters will be discussed by the family, Kuildasan said.

Activists of Pro-Tamil outfits came out on the streets in several parts of the state, raised slogans hailing the SC verdict and condemned the inaction of the Governor on the 2018 cabinet recommendation to release him and six others, besides the Centre's alleged complacency in the matter. Perarivalan, presently on bail, had been granted parole earlier on many occasions by the state government.

The others undergoing life terms in the case are Murugan, Santhan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Jayachandran and Nalini. BJP state president K Annamalai said the party "accepts" the apex court verdict, saying the relief to Perarivalan was given by the SC based on its extraordinary power under Article 142. "We also believe the Supreme Court will not allow compromising with our unity, security and integrity," he said in a tweet.

CPI General Secretary D Raja said his party welcomed the verdict and pointed out the long incarceration of Perarivalan. He also wanted the Governor to act in accordance with the Constitution and said the verdict raised many questions about the office of the gubernatorial post. Political leaders including MDMK founder Vaiko and PMK leader S Ramadoss welcomed his release.

AIADMK MP P Ravindranath also welcomed the SC verdict. The K Palaniswami-led AIADMK cabinet had in 2018 recommended to the then Governor Banwarilal Purohit, the release of all seven convicts in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, who was killed by a suicide bomber of the LTTE at an election meeting in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur in 1991.