Confident Vaiko extends support to Rajiv Gandhi's assassins

Chennai, May 1 (ANI): Marumalaichi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko on Tuesday extended his support to the three accused, convicted in the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters here, Vaiko declared that Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan were "innocent," since they were not present at the scene of the crime.

Earlier in the day, the pardon pleas of the accused were transferred from the Madras High Court to the Supreme Court.

Vaiko said that in his eyes, the three convicts were "innocent Tamil youth".

"I don't see it as a setback," he added, when asked to comment on the recent development.

Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan had filed writ petitions in the Madras High Court challenging the rejection of their clemency plea by President Pratibha Patil after 11 years.

The High Court had stayed their execution on August 30, 2011

The convicts had appealed on the ground that the President's office had shown an inordinate and inexplicable delay in deciding on their mercy petitions which violated Article 21 of the Constitution (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty).

Vaiko also accused Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Chief Karunanidhi of "betraying the Tamil cause" and "hoodwinking" the people. (ANI)