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New Delhi, India
In a major development in connection to the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, the three Sri Lankan men involved and convicted in the case were granted passports by their home country and left India on Wednesday (Apr 3) morning. Three of them, Robert Payas, Jayakumar, and Murugan departed for Colombo post-release.
The trio were among the six individuals who were freed from prison in November 2022 by the Supreme Court. Notably, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 21, 1991 by an suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur just before he was scheduled to address an election rally.
The court's decision for the release was based on their demonstrated "satisfactory behaviour" during their time in jail. Along with this, the release of the individuals was also recommended by the Tamil Nadu government.
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The three were escorted from a special camp in Tiruchirappalli to Chennai International Airport by a team of police officers. Murugan, married to Nalini, an Indian citizen also among the released convicts, shared a poignant moment with his wife at the airport before proceeding towards the terminal.
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In the year 2000, Nalini Sriharan's sentence was commuted to a life term following the intervention of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, the wife of Rajiv Gandhi. She submitted a clemency petition highlighting Nalini's pregnancy at the time of her arrest.
Their daughter is now a doctor in the UK.
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The journey towards reconciliation is not without its challenges. Nalini continues to strive to secure a visa to reunite with her daughter.
The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi was a major event in Indian history which shocked the nation. Rajiv Gandhi served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989 and was a prominent political figure who played a key role in Indian politics.
(With inputs from agencies)