From Death Row to the Bar: Perarivalan’s Legal Rebirth
Supreme Court’s Article 142 Powers Paved His Release
Now a Lawyer, He Vows to Champion Prisoners’ Rights
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: April 29, 2026:
AG Perarivalan, once convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and released by the Supreme Court in 2022 after over three decades in prison, has now enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. At 54, he will practice before the Madras High Court, focusing on prisoners’ rights and anti-death penalty litigation.
Analytical Overview
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Background of Conviction
- Arrested in 1991 at age 19, accused of supplying a 9-volt battery used in the explosive device that killed former PM Rajiv Gandhi.
- Tried under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA).
- Death sentence in 1998, upheld by Supreme Court in 1999.
Commutation and Release
- 2014: Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment due to prolonged delay in deciding mercy petitions.
- 2022: Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to order his release, citing over 30 years of incarceration and delays in remission decisions.
Legal Education and Enrolment
- Studied extensively while in prison (BCA, MCA, diplomas).
- Post-release, pursued LLB at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Law College, Bengaluru, completed in 2025.
- Cleared All India Bar Examination (AIBE) in 2025.
- April 27, 2026: Formally enrolled as advocate with Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Key Legal Principles Highlighted
- Article 142 of the Constitution: Supreme Court’s extraordinary power to do “complete justice,” used to release Perarivalan.
- Mercy Petition Delays: Courts have held that inordinate delays in deciding mercy petitions can justify commutation of death sentences.
- Bar Council Rules: Any law graduate who clears the AIBE can enrol as an advocate, regardless of prior conviction, once legally exonerated.
- Prisoners’ Rights Jurisprudence: His case underscores the importance of fair remission, rehabilitation, and post-conviction opportunities.
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FAQs for Quick Understanding
Q1: How was Perarivalan released despite being convicted?
The Supreme Court used its powers under Article 142 to release him in 2022, citing prolonged incarceration and delays in remission.
Q2: What is Article 142 of the Constitution?
It empowers the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary to do “complete justice” in any case.
Q3: Can a former convict become a lawyer?
Yes, once legally exonerated or released, a person can study law, clear the AIBE, and enrol with a Bar Council.
Q4: What areas of law will Perarivalan focus on?
He has stated he will work on anti-death penalty cases, prisoners’ rights, and premature release matters.
Q5: Why was his death sentence commuted in 2014?
Because of inordinate delay in deciding his mercy petition, which the Supreme Court held violated his rights.
Q6: What does his enrolment signify for the legal system?
It highlights the possibility of rehabilitation, the role of education in prison reform, and the importance of fair legal processes.
Conclusion
Perarivalan’s journey from death row to the Bar is emblematic of India’s evolving jurisprudence on mercy, rehabilitation, and prisoners’ rights. His enrolment as a lawyer is not just a personal milestone but also a symbolic reminder that the justice system must balance punishment with the possibility of reform. His focus on prisoners’ rights and anti-death penalty advocacy could shape future debates on criminal justice reform in India.