'Release of Rajiv killer will fuel further passion'

Stating that the current Sri Lankan conflict may only generate further passion in him, the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday defended the Supreme Court's decision not to permit premature release of PR Ravichandran, a convict in the infamous Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

"Crime is grave and the former prime minister of the country was killed along with 16 others. The crime was committed in a preplanned manner pursuant to a very cruel conspiracy. The petitioner did the same with known intent.

"The current fight between LTTE and Sri Lankan government may again infuse passion in him to act against the law," the DMK government said in an affidavit before a bench of chief justice KG Balakrishnan, justices P Sathasivam and Deepak Verma.

The bench directed the petitioner to file his response to the affidavit.

One of the key conspirators in the killing of the former prime minister, Ravichandran, a LTTE sympathiser facing a life sentence, had sought premature release on par with other life convicts who are being granted remission.

"The petitioner was involved in killing of 16 persons who include a former prime minister, nine police officers and six private individuals. The killing was pre-planned, a premediated conspiracy sucessfully executed with active help and assistance and participation of the petitioner," Tamil Nadu said.