The Tamil Nadu government has communicated to the Madras High Court that Murugan, a former convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been granted the necessary travel documents by the Sri Lankan High Commission, paving the way for his return to Sri Lanka.
The Tamil Nadu government has taken significant steps towards the deportation of three convicts from the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, as informed to the Madras High Court. The individuals, Sriharan alias Murugan, Robert Payas, and Jayakumar, have been issued temporary travel documents by the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission.
In Tuesday’s court session, Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniyapparaj conveyed to Justices R. Sureshkumar and K. Kumaresh Babu that the deportation process for the trio would commence within a week or as soon as the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issues the necessary orders. This development came in response to Murugan’s plea for a photo identity certificate from the authorities at the foreigners’ camp in Trichy.
The bench, after considering the submissions, concluded that issuing a separate identity card, as requested by Murugan, was unnecessary. The judges stated,
“At this stage, the question of issuing any separate identity card as sought for in this writ petition does not arise… the travel document issued by the Sri Lankan High Commission to the petitioner itself is valid, based on which he can get the deportation order from FRRO, Chennai, and thereafter can travel back to his home country.”
The backdrop to this legal action is Murugan’s attempt to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, aiming to reunite with his daughter Mehara, a UK citizen who recently completed her degree in medical physics. Following their release by the Supreme Court on November 11, 2022, the freed convicts were housed in a special campus within Tiruchiprison premises due to their Sri Lankan nationality.
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Despite the issuance of travel documents, it remains uncertain whether the convicts will be deported to Sri Lanka or if they will challenge the decision to avoid potential threats in their home country. Murugan has expressed fears for his safety in Sri Lanka and has shown a clear intention to seek asylum in the UK, hoping to depart directly from India. He, along with his wife Nalini, an Indian citizen, has applied for a UK visa. While Nalini has completed her visa interview and awaits a decision, Murugan’s lack of travel documents previously prevented him from attending his.
The unfolding scenario presents a complex interplay of legal, diplomatic, and human rights issues as the Tamil Nadu government moves forward with the deportation process, while the convicts navigate their future amidst fears and aspirations for safety and reunion with family.
