Want to breathe a bit: Rajiv Gandhi's killer Perarivalan after his release
India Today
After being released by the Supreme Court, Rajiv Gandhi’s killer, Perarivalan, said that he had just come out after a 31-year legal battle. When asked about his plans for the future, he wanted more time to respond and said that he first wanted to “breathe a bit.”
"I firmly believe there is no need for capital punishment," AG Perarivalan said hours after the Supreme Court ordered his release, a judgement that was received with great jubilation by his family, relatives and several pro-Tamil outfits in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
Initially handed capital punishment by a special court in Chennai which was later commuted to a life term, Perarivalan said he first wanted to "breathe," apparently the air of freedom, before thinking about his future.
"I have just come out. It has been 31 years of legal battles. I have to breathe a bit. Give me some time," he said when reporters asked how he felt as a "free bird" and what were his future plans.
"I firmly believe there is no need for capital punishment. Not just for mercy...many justices, including Supreme Court chief justices, have said so and there are many examples. Everybody is human," he said, with his mother Arputhammal and relatives by his side.
"Many unknown people have supported us. I don't know many people. I thank all of them," an emotional Arputhammal said while recalling the "31-year battle" her son endured.
Perarivalan later played the 'parai', an ancient Tamil percussion instrument, in an obvious sign of celebrating his freedom. Welcoming the judgement, Chief Minister M K Stalin said it could find a place in the "Justice-law-political-administrative history."
He recalled the state had placed firm arguments in court about Perarivalan's plea before the SC.
