T. Suthendraraja, also known as Santhan, passed away on Wednesday at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai.** Santhan was one of the seven individuals convicted in the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. He was released from prison in November 2022 after serving over three decades.
Santhan’s Final Days and Cause of Death
Santhan was diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis, a liver condition unrelated to alcohol consumption. He suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday and was unable to be revived. His lawyer, Pugazhendhi, stated that Santhan’s brother was present at the hospital and his remains will be transported to Sri Lanka for final rites.
Santhan’s Journey: Imprisonment and Release
Santhan was accused of being a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) intelligence wing and facing charges for his involvement in the assassination plot. The Supreme Court sentenced him to death in 1999, but it was later commuted to life imprisonment. He was finally released in November 2022 as part of a group of convicts whose release was controversial and faced opposition from the Indian government.
Santhan’s Life in Prison: A Solitary Existence
Fellow convict Perarivalan, who shared nearly 30 years with Santhan in prison, described him as “a person who lives in his own world.” Santhan reportedly kept to himself, rarely interacting with others. He was known for being deeply religious and spending most of his time in the prison temple, performing rituals and prayer. Perarivalan also mentioned that Santhan seemed to have severed ties with his family in Sri Lanka, never responding to their letters.
The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination and its Aftermath
On May 21, 1991, a suicide bomber affiliated with the LTTE assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during a political rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The assassination sparked outrage and led to a massive investigation that resulted in the arrest of 26 individuals. While 19 were eventually acquitted, seven others received death sentences or life imprisonment. The release of these individuals in 2022, including Santhan, remains a contentious issue in India.
Santhan’s Passing and its Significance
Santhan’s death marks the end of a complex and controversial chapter in Indian history. His passing brings renewed attention to the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, its aftermath, and the ongoing debate surrounding the release of the convicts. While Santhan’s story may have concluded, the broader questions surrounding the assassination and its legacy continue to resonate in India.
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