The Supreme Court of India has opined that it is not possible to release Perarivalan, one of the eight main accused in the gruesome 1991 assassination of former prime-minister Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbur off Chennai, despite him having served more than 26 years in prison.

Earlier, counsel for CBI expressed his strong reservations against entertaining Perarivalan`s petition seeking his release. Perarivalan, who was recently out of prison on a 2-month long parole, had filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting for his release on health grounds. The petition was taken up yesterday for interrogation by the apex Court.

CBI`s counsel made it clear to the Court that it wasn`t in favour of releasing Perarivalan. The apex Court referred to the investigation officer`s earlier statement that there were some irregularities in recording Perarivalan`s testimony and asked if the case deserved re-interrogation.

The Court directed the Centre to respond to its query and postponed the next hearing in the case to 24th January.