One of the three death row convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, AG Perarivalan, will appear before the State Information Commission (SIC) through video conferencing from the Vellore central prison for men, where he was undergoing imprisonment.
The hearing pertains to Perarivalan’s RTI application seeking information regarding his medical treatment records, correspondence and orders related to his mercy petition. He had appealed to the State Information Commission after his repeated applications under section 7 (1) (life and liberty clause) of RTI Act was turned down by the prison officials.
“The video-conferencing is scheduled to be held at 10 am on Wednesday,” said a prison department official.
Sources close to Perarivalan said that he would seek information regarding his petitions since June 12, 1999, details of the orders issued and action taken by the prison department in connection with them. Perarivalan would also seek details of reminders on his mercy petition dated on April 4, 2000 to the President, besides requesting to provide certified copies of any orders, letters, covering letters, and reminder letters.
Perarivalan has also asked for a photocopy of the permission letter issued by the DIG of prisons to research scholar Reena Mary George. She had interviewed the death row convicts in the Vellore prison except himself and two others - Sriharan (alias) Murugan and Santhan - who were facing the gallows in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, for her thesis.
He wanted the DIG’s permission to reach the research scholar to expose the discrimination against Rajiv case convicts.
Besides, it is also expected that he would seek information and records regarding his medical treatment. “Perarivalan who is suffering from hypertension and back pain was never given a proper medical attention,” said Selvaraj Murugaiyan, secretary of Chennai Chapter of People’s Movement Against Death Penalty.
He further said that Perarivalan was never allowed to consult a specialist inside or outside the prison, though some medication was provided for treating hypertension. “The information and records that he sought under the RTI Act are very vital to defend him and prove his innocence,” Selvaraj Murugaiyan added further.