VELLORE: The Prison Department on Tuesday denied permission to the founder-leader of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) S P Udayakumar to meet Perarivalan, Shanthan and Murugan, all life convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, lodged in the Vellore Central Prison for Men.
Udayakumar, accompanied by six others including those of the PMANE and Poovulagin Nanbargal, had come to Vellore to meet the trio and submit a petition to the prison administration seeking permission to meet Perarivalan and the others.
But, the officials denied them permission, citing provisions of the prison manual. The officials told them that non-family members would be allowed to meet the high-risk prisoners once a fortnight.
Udayakumar asked the prison officials to give in writing the reason for their denial.
Additional Superintendent of Prison C Krishna Kumar explained to Udayakumar and other members of the PMANE about the rules and regulations. The officer told them to get the court direction, if they wanted to meet the trio before the stipulated time.
Udayakumar said their movement was against capital punishment. Moreover, Perarivalan’s mother Arputhammal had twice taken part in their protests. “We came here to show our solidarity with Arputhammal, her son Perarivalan and two other life convicts,” said Udhayakumar. He further said he would come next week to meet the trio and show support to Arputhammal.