The Madras High Court stayed the execution of the three Tamils sentenced to death for their alleged part in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on Tuesday.
The execution was due to take place on the 9th September.
The interim stay of 8 weeks was announced in order to give time for consideration of petitions submitted by the three accused - Perarivalan, Santhan and Murugan.
The petitioners' main contention was that the 11 year and 4 months delay as well as the 20 year incarceration, made a subsequent death sentence “unduly harsh and excessive" and "unjust and inhuman". Further it amounted to a violation of their right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
See articles by The Hindu and Hindustan Times for further details.
The stay order came as the Tamil Nadu State Assembly passed an unanimous resolution calling on the President to reconsider the clemency appeals of the 3 accused. The reoslution was moved by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
