Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi1 Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the ex-Prime Minister of India, occurred as a result of a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu, India on 21 May 1991. At least 14 others were also killed. It was carried out by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, also known as Dhanu. The attack was blamed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist organization from Sri Lanka; at the time India had just ended its involvement, through the Indian Peace Keeping Force, in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Subsequent accusations of conspiracy have been addressed by two commissions of inquiry and have brought down at least one national government.Wikipedia:Avoid weasel words The stone mosaic that stands at the location where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Sriperumbudur Along the way. this was the path that Gandhi took before being assassinated Security lapses The Supreme Court held that LTTE's decision of eliminating Rajiv was prompted by his interview to Sunday magazine (August 21€28. Gandhi. The LTTE decision to kill him was perhaps aimed at preventing him from coming to power again. She then bent down to touch his feet and detonated an RDX explosive-laden belt tucked below her dress. The assassination was caught on film by a local photographer. Despite no action. stopping along the way at a few other election campaigning venues. .[1] When he reached a campaign rally in Sriperumbudur. whose camera and film was found at the site though the photographer himself died in the blast. Sources have indicated that Rajiv was time and again informed that there was a threat to his life and that he should not travel to Tamil Nadu. On 21 May. Seven pillars. his assassin and 14 others were killed in the explosion that followed. Dhanu.Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi 2 Assassination Rajiv Gandhi was campaigning for the upcoming elections. each featuring a human value surrounds the site of the blast. then governor of Tamil Nadu Bhism Narayan Singh. the findings throw up vital questions that have been consistently raised by political analysts. approached and greeted him. In fact. he was garlanded by many well-wishers. no action was taken on the recommendations of the Commission. About two hours after arriving in Madras (now Chennai). However. the Justice J S Verma Commission was formed to look into the security lapses that led to the killing. at the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial in Sriperumbudur. after successfully campaigning in Visakhapatnam. Congress party workers and school children. broke his official protocol and twice warned Rajiv about the threat to his life if he visited the state. concluded that the security arrangements for the former PM were adequate but that the local Congress party leaders disrupted and broke these arrangements. Known as the "Path of Light". At 22:21 the assassin. 1990). The Narasimha Rao government initially rejected Verma€s findings but later accepted it under pressure. Thereafter. Rajiv also defended the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka accord in the same interview. where he said he would send the IPKF to disarm LTTE if he came back to power again. submitted in June 1992. he got out of his car and began to walk towards the dais where he would deliver a speech. Rajiv Gandhi was driven by motorcade in a white Ambassador car to Sriperumbudur. his next stop was SriperumbudurTamil Nadu. The final report. which was upheld by the Supreme Court of India."There is evidence to show that. revealed that an LTTE delegation had met Rajiv Gandhi on March 5. Rajiv became complacent about his security and broke security rules in more than 40 rallies. The party also demanded the removal of DMK from the UF government. Investigation Immediately after the assassination. The Commission report stated that the year 1989 signified "the perpetuation of the general political trend of indulging the Tamil militants on Indian soil and tolerance of their wide-ranging criminal and anti-national activities. 1991. These messages. Another delegation met him around March 14. I did a series of articles after his assassination that pointed out how. the site where he was cremated is known as Vir Bhumi. 3 Funeral Following his assassination. The agency created a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under D R Karthikeyan to find who killed Rajiv. Rajiv Gandhi's mutilated body was airlifted to New Delhi. which made it easy for the rebels to assassinate Rajiv. From the Palam airport. after these meetings."The report also alleged that LTTE leaders in Jaffna were in possession of sensitive coded messages exchanged between the Union government and the state government of DMK. brother. 1991 at New Delhi. Justice Verma Commission report and the Jain Commission report.Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi Details revealed by Dr Subramanian Swamy in his book. the Chandrasekhar government handed the investigation to CBI on May 24. His funeral was telecast live nationally and internationally. A state funeral was held for Rajiv Gandhi on 24 May 1991. some of the most vital wireless messages were passed between the LTTE operatives based in Tamil Nadu and Jaffna." the report stated. one can conclude that the Rajiv assassination was not a hit-and-run affair but was a meticulously planned operation that involved actors beyond the LTTE. are directly related to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. indicted the DMK for colluding with the LTTE. near the cremation spot of his mother. After examining the SIT investigation report. . The SIT probe confirmed the role of LTTE in the assassination. reconstruction and embalming. grandfather and Mahatma Gandhi. looking into the conspiracy angle to the assassination. which were decoded later. Journalist Ram Bahadur Rai wrote that: The message conveyed to Rajiv Gandhi by both these delegations was that there was no threat to his life and that he can travel to Tamil Nadu without fearing for his life. The report concluded that DMK provided sanctuary to the LTTE. 1991. Today. arguing that it had a hand in Rajiv's killing. and was attended by dignitaries from over 60 countries. The interim report of Justice Milap Chand Jain. his body was sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for post-mortem. Sri Lanka in Crisis: India's Options (2007). He was cremated on the banks of the river Yamuna. during this period.The Congress subsequently brought down the United Front (UF) government of I K Gujral after the report was leaked in November 1998. Nalini was shifted back to Vellore prison from Puzhal prison amidst tight security on September 7. states that absolutely no evidence existed that any one of the conspirators ever desired the death of any Indian other than Rajiv Gandhi. However. along with 25 others. Legal experts were stunned.[3][4] The trial was held behind closed doors. the state government rejected her request. In the Rajiv Gandhi case confessions by accused formed a major part of the evidence in the judgement against them which they later claimed was taken under duress. Additionally. another convict in the case who has been sentenced to death. 2011. This created a storm in India. Under TADA an accused can appeal only to the Supreme Court. Later. and the non-disclosure of identity of witnesses was maintained. 2011. President of India had rejected the clemency pleas of Murugan and two others on death row.Nalini. However.Nalini was earlier given the death sentence. the killing was carried out due to personal animosity of the LTTE chief Prabhakaran towards Rajiv Gandhi. she was sentenced to death. The execution of the three convicts was scheduled on September 9. later gave birth to a girl.[5] Confessions given by the accused to the Superintendent of Police are taken as evidence against the accused under TADA. the death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. the SC confirmed death only on four of the convicts. by a special court here on January 28. Supreme Court judgment As per the Supreme Court of India judgment. on May 11. Human rights groups protested as the trial did not meet standards of a free trial. by Judge Thomas. including Nalini. only four of the accused were sentenced to death and the others to various jail terms.Arrested on June 14.Nalini had moved the Madras High Court seeking release as she served more than 20 years in prison. Trial The trial was conducted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA). Athirai.She "regrets" the killing of the former Prime Minister and claims that the real conspirators have not been booked yet.Nalini was being treated as 'A' class convict from September 10. She argued that even life convicts were released after 14 years of prison term. The Special Investigation team of India's premier special investigation agency CBI was not able to pinpoint when the decision to kill Rajiv Gandhi was taken. in camera courts. was only 17 years old when she was arrested. . T Suthendraraja alias Santhan and A G Perarivalan alias Arivu in August 2011.Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi 4 Perpetrator The assassination was carried out by the LTTE suicide bomber Thenmozhi Rajaratnam also known as Dhanu. 1999. 1999 till the privilege was withdrawn in May 2010 after a mobile phone was allegedly recovered from her cell during a surprise check. Appeal to the High Court is not allowed as in normal law.[2] Judge Thomas further states that conspiracy was hatched in stages commencing from 1987 and that it spanned several years. Murugan. the real name of the suicide bomber came to be known as Gayatri. Under TADA the accused could be convicted on the basis of evidence that would have been insufficient for conviction by an ordinary court under normal Indian law. The judgment while convicting the accused. four of them to death and others to various jail terms.[citation needed] The judgement further cites the death of Thileepan in a hunger strike and the suicide by 12 LTTE cadres in a vessel in October 1987. Judge Wadhwa further states there is nothing on record to show that the intention to kill Rajiv Gandhi was to overawe the Government. who was a close friend of an LTTE operative known as V Sriharan alias Murugan.Harithra Murugan in prison.In 2010. The designated TADA court in Chennai gave death sentences to all the 26 accused. On appeal to the Supreme Court. the Madras High Court intervened and stayed their execution for eight weeks based on their petitions. 1998. Interestingly. However. 1991. S Nalini Sriharan is the lone surviving member of the five-member squad behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and is serving life impriosonment. On the intervention of Rajiv Gandhi's widow and Congress president Sonia Gandhi petition for clemency for the sake of Nalini's daughter in 2000. Hence it was held that it was not a terrorist act under TADA (Act). though several people were killed. the Rajiv Gandhi administration had antagonised other Tamil militant organisations like PLOTE for reversing the military coup in Maldives back in 1988. an accused. Ms A. with VCK have supported Congress under Sonia Gandhi in the past. in/ judgements/ thomas. a monumental historical tragedy which we deeply regret. "A Chance To Be Near The People New Campaigning Style Put Gandhi In Crowds" (http:/ / articles. by Barbara Crossette. partly due to the Sri Lankan issue. Also other strong LTTE sympathizers Vaiko with MDMK and Thol. Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated in bombing at campaign stop" (http:/ / www. derechos. amnesty.1151 OF 1998) (http:/ / cbi. Retrieved 2010-07-19.[11][12] The interim report of the Jain CommIssion created a storm when it accused Muthu and the Tamils of a role in the assassination. Among them. Ranganath. shtml) [4] India: The Prevention of Terrorism Bill. Thirumavalavan. com/ pti_print. via Orlando Sentinel. asp?id=266715) [9] Probe Chandraswami's role in Rajiv case . html) . html) [10] "Chandraswami had a hand in the plot" (http:/ / www. outlookindia. Neena Gopal of the Gulf News of Dubai was also in the car. The Terrorist. com/ ie/ daily/ 19980711/ 19250694. the case was buried by the then CBI chief. [2] Death Reference Case No. € Kuttrapathirikai.Jain report (http:/ / www. Cyanide and Madras Cafe are films based on the assassination. In 2006. May 22. 1991. the three convicts condemned to death sentence. The New York Times. com/ india/ report_ib-hid-crucial-video-on-rajiv-gandhi-murder-book_1757684 [7] http:/ / www. in the back seat with Chandrashekhar and a local party official. Gujral government and fresh elections in 1998. Past abuses revisited | Amnesty International (http:/ / web."[13] Memorial and popular culture € The Rajiv Gandhi Memorial was built at the site and is one of the major tourist attractions in the small industrial town.NO. said Chandraswami was the godfather who financed the killing. wsws.Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi Santhanand. including financing the assassination. LTTE spokesman Anton Balasingham told the Indian television channel NDTV that the killing was a "great tragedy. html) [6] http:/ / www. May 22. References [1] "Assassination in India. org/ library/ Index/ ENGASA200222000?open& of=ENG-IND) [5] Human Rights Bulletin on Srfati Lanka (http:/ / www. (@ D. dnaindia. org/ saran/ lanka/ 3298. nic.com (http:/ / www. West Bengal Governor and former Intelligence Bureau director. org/ articles/ 2000/ may2000/ rjv-m01. com/ 1991-05-22/ news/ 9105220915_1_gandhi-rajiv-chandrashekhar/ 2) by Barbara Crossette. nytimes. orlandosentinel. Mission 90 Days. 5 Controversies In a report published in 30 October 2012 DNA [6].From CBI files by Central Bureau of Investigation officer and chief investigating officer of the assassination case. com/ ie/ daily/ 19990514/ ige14006. that Vaiko left the UPA alliance before the 2009 election. However it is worth noting. html?scp=2& sq=rajiv gandhi crossette& st=cse). expressindia.[10] Sikh Militants were also suspected. former chief investigator of the CBI. talks about his new book Conspiracy to Kill Rajiv Gandhi: From the CBI Files [7] and tells the reporter that while the CBI had started a preliminary inquiry in which MK Narayanan.[8][9] One of the accused. milligazette. and Perarivalan. expressindia. € 2013 film Madras Cafe depicts a RAW agent's mission to save him. K Ragothaman. pdf) [3] Despite the lack of a fair trial Indian governor gives green light for executions over Rajiv Gandhi assassination (https:/ / www. claim that they are not ordinary criminals but political prisoners. € Assassination Of Rajiv Gandhi: Unanswered Questions And Unasked Queries by Subramanian Swamy € Conspiracy to kill Rajiv Gandhi . leading to Congress withdrawing its support for the I. the cleric Chandraswami was suspected of involvement. K. was named a suspect in hiding evidence. New York Times. 1991. com/ news/ 4494-buy-a-copy-of-conspiracy-to-kill-rajiv-gandhi-from-the-cbi-files [8] outlookindia. various people and agencies are named as suspected of having been involved in the murder of Rajiv Gandhi.In 2001 Norway peace talks Prabhakarn told to press persons that Rajiv killing was an sorrowful event. com/ 1991/ 05/ 22/ world/ assassination-india-rajiv-gandhi-assassinated-bombing-campaign-stop-india-puts. Jain Commission and other reports In the Jain report. 9602•N 79.htm) € Harithra Murugan.tamilnation.org/intframe/india/rajiv/index.youtube. com/ jain/ vol3/ chap8. html) [12] Jain Commission Report Chapter Viii (http:/ / www.9452•E (http:/ / tools. php?newsid=70062) 6 External links € Rajiv Gandhi Assassination . php?pagename=Assassination_of_Rajiv_Gandhi¶ms=12.9452_E_region:IN-TN_type:landmark) . html) [13] We deeply regret Rajiv's death: LTTE (http:/ / www. com/ fullstory.9602_N_79. org/ geohack/ geohack. com/ jain/ vol3/ chap2.com/ watch?v=7DTKpBiThq0) Coordinates: 12. india-today.Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi [11] Jain Commission Report Chapter Ii (http:/ / www.the Verdict (http://www. daughter of Nalini Sriharan and Murugan interview (http://www. india-today. wmflabs. expressindia. Moncrief.Falcon. Bonkers The Clown. Jediknightelectro1997. Viswanath Vellaiappan.26. Patrick. Jst007. Madhava 1947. Mcc1789.php?title=File:Rajiv_Gandhi_Memorial_bombsite. Vadakkan License Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.jpg ‚License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2. Uncle Dick.org/w/index. Scottjdownes. Egeymi. Signalhead. Viper007Bond.org/w/index.org/licenses/by-sa/3. CHJL. Sanishkb. Neutrality.0 //creativecommons. Mugunth Kumar. William Avery. 102 anonymous edits Image Sources.php?title=File:Rajiv_Gandhi_Memorial_path. Faizan. Bulwersator. Swliv.org/w/index. Jonoikobangali. Melmann. Vadakkan Image:Rajiv Gandhi Memorial blast site. Lihaas.php?oldid=593577374 ‚Contributors: 78. Night Gyr. Aille. RJFJR. Skmaddd. Cyanolinguophile. JForget. Shyamsunder. R'n'B.jpg ‚Source: http://en.wikipedia.5 ‚Contributors: Planemad. Nader85021. Magioladitis. Blackknight12. Planemad. Pharaoh of the Wizards. Wikiercomer.5 ‚Contributors: Avjoska. Mogism. Praemonitus. Anjaney Agarwal. Lateg. CardinalDan. Hornplease. Wprlh.5 ‚Contributors: Planemad.php?title=File:Rajiv_Gandhi_Memorial_blast_site. Nikhilgk.jpg ‚License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2. Anwar saadat. I1i2t310. Bill william compton. Snigdhasinghsweet. Ideopreneur. N419BH. SuperJew. Vadakkan Image:Rajiv Gandhi Memorial path.wikipedia. SpaceFlight89.wikipedia. Pratyya Ghosh. Ser Amantio di Nicolao.org/w/index.jpg ‚License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2. Dimadick. Kerr avon. Joshmaul. Ravenswing. Mr. Iohannes Animosus.wikipedia. ProudIrishAspie. Licenses and Contributors Image:Rajiv Gandhi Memorial bombsite. Userrohan. Ardfern. Apokrif. Evano1van.0/ .jpg ‚Source: http://en.jpg ‚Source: http://en. Nizil Shah. Jasrajva. Zzyzx11. Tex.Article Sources and Contributors 7 Article Sources and Contributors Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi ‚Source: http://en. VishalB. TClaver. Benne. Tim333. Hugo999.