NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will first decide on whether to hear the Tamil Nadu government’s review petition on a verdict given by the Constitution Bench in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case or to take up the Centre’s plea opposing Tamil Nadu’s stand seeking release of the seven convicts. The court is slated the case for August 8.
As per the review plea, the State needs only to consult the Centre on the question of granting remission to life convicts, and contends that the consultation does not imply getting the concurrence of the Centre as decided by the Constitution Bench in December 2015.
The apex court in its judgment last year had held that States cannot unilaterally decide on the grant of remission to life convicts in cases investigated by the central agencies.