A Congress Member of Parliament has written to President Droupadi Murmu urging her to cancel the enrollment of A.G. Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, as an advocate. Perarivalan, who was released from jail in May 2022 after the Supreme Court granted him remission, enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Monday.
Congress MP's Letter to President
The MP, in his letter to the President, expressed deep concern over the development, stating that allowing a convicted individual to practice law undermines the integrity of the legal profession. He argued that Perarivalan's conviction in one of the most high-profile assassination cases in Indian history makes him unfit to uphold the law. The letter emphasized that the enrollment sets a dangerous precedent and requested immediate intervention to revoke it.
Background of the Case
Perarivalan was convicted in 1998 along with six others for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. He spent over 30 years in prison before being released in 2022. His release was ordered by the Supreme Court, which cited his good conduct and the long duration of his incarceration. However, the Congress party has consistently opposed any leniency towards the convicts.
Legal Profession Eligibility
Under the Advocates Act, 1961, a person convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude is disqualified from enrolling as an advocate, unless the conviction is overturned or a pardon is granted. Perarivalan's lawyer has argued that his client's release and remission of sentence effectively remove the disqualification. However, legal experts are divided on this interpretation.
Political Reactions
The development has sparked political controversy. While the Congress party has condemned the enrollment, some Tamil Nadu political parties have welcomed it, arguing that Perarivalan has served his time and deserves a chance to rebuild his life. The matter is likely to be taken up by the Bar Council of India, which has the authority to review enrollments.
Perarivalan's enrollment as an advocate has reignited debates about the rights of convicts after release and the standards of the legal profession. The President's office has not yet commented on the MP's letter.
