Santhan, former convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination, dies

Santhan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case who was later freed by the Supreme Court, died here on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest, a government official said.

Santhan alias T Suthendiraraja (55), a Sri Lankan national, was one of the seven persons set free by the Supreme Court in 2022 after they served over 20 years of jail term in connection with the killing of the former prime minister in Sriperumbudur near here in 1991.

E Theranirajan, Dean of the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital where Santhan was undergoing treatment for liver failure, said he died at 7.50 am.

Santhan suffered a cardiac arrest at around 4 am on Wednesday but was revived following a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) procedure and given an oxygen supply with a ventilator, Theranirajan told reporters.

However, Santhan did not respond to treatment and died at 7.50 am, he said.

Santhan was brought to the hospital here from a special camp in Tiruchirappalli, where he was lodged post his release, on January 27 for treating liver failure, the Dean said.

While the body was handed over by the authorities after the post-mortem, steps were on to take Santhan's mortal remains to Sri Lanka, his counsel S Pugazhenthi said. ''He wanted to see his mother but unfortunately it couldn't be fulfilled. Had the authorities acted swiftly on his prayer to be deported to Sri Lanka, at least Santhan would have had the opportunity to see his mother,'' Pugazhenthi told reporters. Asked why Santhan declined to undergo liver biopsy against medical advice, the advocate replied that Santhan wanted it to be performed after he reached Jaffna. ''He said he would feel secure if it was done when his mother and close blood relatives were around. And I think he was right in his view. Hence, I had to sign the papers refusing the biopsy here,'' Pugazhenthi said referring to Dr Theranirajan's earlier remark on Santhan's refusal for biopsy.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman urged the Centre not to confine Murugan, Robert Payas and Jayakumar, who have also been freed by the Supreme Court, in the refugee camp, but to ensure their return to the places of choice.

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