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Should These Men Die?

More than 20 years after the gruesome assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, people charged in the conspiracy are awaiting their death.

  • Should These Men Die?
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  • Vellore Central Jail, 3 hours west of Chennai, where Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan (Arivu) convicted in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, are inmates.
    Vellore Central Jail, 3 hours west of Chennai, where Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan (Arivu) convicted in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, are inmates.
  • Arivu was 19 when he was arrested and has spent his adult life behind bars.
    Arivu was 19 when he was arrested and has spent his adult life behind bars.
  • The story Murugan and Nalini (another accused) is being valorized by a Tamil weekly, Junior Vikatan, as a thrilling romance of a LTTE operative with an Indian girl.
    The story Murugan and Nalini (another accused) is being valorized by a Tamil weekly, Junior Vikatan, as a thrilling romance of a LTTE operative with an Indian girl.
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  • Santhan, accused number A-2, had been earlier involved in the killing of EPRLF leaders.
    Santhan, accused number A-2, had been earlier involved in the killing of EPRLF leaders.
  • Families of prisoners gather outside the permission shed of Vellore Jail; several are visitors to meet the 3 Rajiv assassination accused.
    Families of prisoners gather outside the permission shed of Vellore Jail; several are visitors to meet the 3 Rajiv assassination accused.
  • Inside the dingy shed, the wait for permission can be long.
    Inside the dingy shed, the wait for permission can be long.
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  • Arputham Ammal, Arivu's 65 year old mother, has been making this trip to Vellore daily for the past 15 years.
    Arputham Ammal, Arivu's 65 year old mother, has been making this trip to Vellore daily for the past 15 years.
  • K Raghothaman, Chief Investigating Officer of the SIT rubbishes claims that the 3 were errand boys. He says the investigation confirmed their participation as well as knowledge.
    K Raghothaman, Chief Investigating Officer of the SIT rubbishes claims that the 3 were errand boys. He says the investigation confirmed their participation as well as knowledge.
  • A location in a Chennai suburb is the protest hub for the Vellore 3. The protest is being linked to the wider movement against the death penalty.
    A location in a Chennai suburb is the protest hub for the Vellore 3. The protest is being linked to the wider movement against the death penalty.
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  • A poster of a teenage girl, Sengudi, who now occupies a martyr status for the radical Tamil groups that are fighting to free the Vellore 3. Sengudi immolated herself asking for the 3 to be released.
    A poster of a teenage girl, Sengudi, who now occupies a martyr status for the radical Tamil groups that are fighting to free the Vellore 3. Sengudi immolated herself asking for the 3 to be released.
  • Arivu's mother breaks down while talking of her son.
    Arivu's mother breaks down while talking of her son.
  • LTTE CDs at the protest venue, which reflect the uneasy alliance between radical Tamil groups and the anti death penalty movement.
    LTTE CDs at the protest venue, which reflect the uneasy alliance between radical Tamil groups and the anti death penalty movement.
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