P. Ravichandran, convicted for life in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was on Saturday released from the Madurai Central Jail after completing legal formalities.
Following the Supreme Court verdict ordering the release of the remaining six life convicts in the case, he was released. Ravichandran, who is out on parole, was brought to Madurai jail from his native place near Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi district at 7.45 pm. He came out of the jail at 8.10 pm after completing the formalities.
Addressing media persons outside the jail, Sri Ravichandran first recalled Sengodi’s sacrifice for the Tamils. He said his release has brought him more relief than happiness. Thanking the Dravidian parties, he said that his release would not have been possible without the support of Tamil Nadu governments – past and present – and the parties as the central governments were against the move. He also thanked the advocates representing him.
He expressed hope that the Sri Lankan nationals among the released life convicts would soon be reunited with their families. When asked about his future plans, he said that his family and friends are first and he will take a decision after discussing with everyone. He said that he would do writing and agriculture at his native place.
He said that the real forces behind Rajiv’s assassination were powerful. “However, we became easy targets and they wanted to end the case with us,” he said.
Further, he said that the concept of post-conviction acquittal – a conviction of a convicted person is available after new evidence establishing the person’s innocence – which was adopted in various countries, was not available in India. He will submit a memorandum in this regard to the Law Commission. He said prison reforms are needed, in which many people have suffered because of the delay. He said that he would work towards achieving this. His lawyer T. Thirumurugan was present in the press meet.
After coming out of jail, people from different organizations garlanded him. Burst crackers too.