No legal bar to Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict AG Perarivalan practising law: Centre

New Delhi: The Union Government has clarified that there is no legal impediment preventing A G Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, from practising as an advocate. The Centre made its stand clear in an affidavit filed before the Madras High Court in response to a petition filed by Congress MP R Sudha challenging Perarivalan’s enrolment at the bar.

MP Sudha had approached the Madras High Court arguing that under the Advocates Act, an individual sentenced to death or life imprisonment is ineligible to enrol as a lawyer. However, the Union Ministry of Law informed the High Court that any disqualification prescribed under the Advocates Act ceases two years after a person is released from prison.

Perarivalan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was released on May 18, 2022 after spending over 30 years in jail. Following his release, he joined a private law college in Karnataka and completed his degree. Perarivalan formally enrolled as an advocate in April.