Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by Sri Lankan suicide bomber Dhaanu at a public meeting held at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21 1991. The master mind Sivarasan and his cronies were rounded up by police 90 days later but they consumed cyanide and committed suicide. 7 people Nalini, Murugan, Santhan, Robert Pious, Ravichandran, Perarivalan and Jayakumar were convicted in the case and have served life imprisonment for the past 27 years.

On a mercy petition by 47 year old Perarivalan the past three years there have been moves to release the convicts and former CM Jayalalitha had promised that she would take all steps even in the Centre opposed. Today the Tamil Nadu cabinet met and have recommended the release of all seven to the governor. The Fisheries Minister Jayakumar stated to the press that the cabinet meeting on a Sunday itself is an indication that the government is working hard to get them released and he also expressed hope that the Governor would do the needful.