Key dates in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case trial and after

January 28, 1998 Poonamallee trial court convicts 26 in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case including Nalini Sriharan and sentences all of them to death.May 11, 1999 Supreme Court confirms death sentence for 4 convcits. Also the court set aside the death sentence awarded to 19 others.April 19, 2000 Tamil Nadu Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi recommends commutation of Nalinis death sentence to life imprisonment.

January 28, 1998: Poonamallee trial court convicts 26 in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case including Nalini Sriharan and sentences all of them to death.

May 11, 1999: Supreme Court confirms death sentence for 4 convcits. Nalini, wife of V Sriharan alias Murugan, Sriharan, T Santhan alias Suthanthiraraj, Arivu alias G Perarivalan. The top court also commuted the death sentences awarded to 3 convicts, K Robert Payas, S Jayakumar and P Ravi alias Ravichandran. Also the court set aside the death sentence awarded to 19 others.

April 19, 2000: Tamil Nadu Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi recommends commutation of Nalini's death sentence to life imprisonment. Rejects mercy plea of three others. Governor approves decision. Total charge-sheeted were 41 and 26 went for trial and others died, some during case pendency and others later including the now defunct LTTE's Velupillai Prabhakaran.