Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Madras High Court orders issue of notice to Centre on habeas corpus pleas by convicts

Madras High Court today ordered issue of notice to the Centre on habeas corpus pleas filed by two life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, challenging their incarceration beyond 20 years in prison.

In separate petitions, Sri Lankan nationals, B Robert Payas and S Jayakumar contended that they have been in prison for more than 20 years which was illegal and violative of their fundamental right under article 21 of the Constitution of India. They also contended that any life convict should be released after undergoing 20 years of imprisonment.

A Division Bench of Justice S Rajeswaran and Justice P N Prakash ordered issue of notice to the Centre returnable by December 10 and adjourned the case. The two were among the 26 persons convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.