INDIA: CLEMENCY FOR 3 DEATH ROW INMATES

President Pratibha Patil commuted the death sentences of three prisoners lodged in the Tiruchi Central Prison to life terms.
The order from the President was issued after the prisoners – C. Selvam, V. Radhakrishnan and A. Sheikh Meeran – submitted mercy petitions a few years ago.
The prison authorities told The Hindu that the three prisoners should remain in the prison for the whole of their natural life. There shall be no remission of the term of imprisonment, said the authorities, quoting a direction from the government.
The trio were arrested and awarded death sentences for murdering Ayyavoo, described as a notorious gang leader, in December 1994.
They were convicted in 1998 by the Sessions Court of Nagercoil. The death sentences were confirmed by the Madras High Court in April 1999 and Special Leave Petitions in the Supreme Court against the verdict were rejected in June 1999.