Justice K T Thomas (retd), who headed the Supreme Court bench that sentenced A G Perarivalan to death in 1999, said Wednesday he wants to meet the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict and wished him to lead a normal life. Justice Thomas’s comments came soon after the top court ordered the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Perarivalan, exercising its powers under the Constitution’s Article 142, which enables the court to pass orders to do complete justice in a case.
“I wish to see him,” said Justice Thomas after hearing the news of Perarivalan’s release in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. “Perarivalan, if you find time, please visit me…” Thomas said while speaking to The Indian Express from his residence at Kottayam, Kerala. “After the long incarceration and the release at the age of 50, what should I tell him? He should get married soon… He should live happily… with his dear ones. And I give complete credit to his mother (Arputham Ammal). She deserves the entire credit,” he said.
READ | After SC orders A G Perarivalan’s release, former judge K T Thomas says he should live ‘happily hereafter’
Following the development, most political leaders in Perarivalan’s home state Tamil Nadu welcomed the apex court’s decision. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin congratulated AG Perarivalan on his release. Addressing media persons, Stalin said the Supreme Court order was a historic one. He noted that the DMK had promised to make efforts for the release of Rajiv Gandhi case convicts in its manifesto.
“The order will be remembered in history not just for an individual named Perarivalan, but for establishing the federal philosophy and autonomy of the state,” Stalin said. He added that Supreme Court judges have clearly mentioned while hearing Perarivalan’s release petition that the governor has no authority to intervene in the decision of the state government.
The Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict A G Perarivalan, exercising its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. Here is a video about Perarivalan, who was 19-years-old at the time of Gandhi’s killing in 1991.
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TNCC president K S Alagiri led the protest at Chidambaram in Cuddalore District against Perarivalan's release.
A G Perarivalan, one of the conspirators in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, ought to have been released much earlier, former Supreme Court judge Justice K T Thomas said on Thursday.
Invoking its extraordinary power under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court had on Wednesday ordered the release of Perarivalan, who has served over 30 years in jail in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, and said the Tamil Nadu Governor ought not to have sent the "binding" advice made by the State Cabinet for his release to the President.
Justice Thomas, who headed the apex court bench which in 1999 upheld the death sentence of Perarivalan and three others, told PTI that the convicted accused ought to have been granted remission after they served 14 years in jail.
"Now it is 30 years. He (Perarivalan) should have been released much earlier. After he served 14 years," the former apex court judge said, adding that the relief now granted to him should also apply to the other convicts in the case. "Why should there be a discrimination between them," he said.
Justice Thomas said that he had written a letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in 2017 requesting her to write a letter to the President for remitting the sentence of Perarivalan and others. (PTI)
A G Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, met Tamil Nadu opposition leader and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami following his release.
The Supreme Court’s action in exercising its inherent power under Article 142 of the Constitution and ordering the release of A G Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has resulted in mixed reactions. A Congress spokesperson in Tamil Nadu called the verdict a victory for terrorism and money power. His reaction was strengthened by the state Congress Committee calling for a peaceful protest for one hour, with protesters standing with their mouths gagged.
Notwithstanding these small ripples, the Supreme Court’s verdict was broadly welcomed as it put an end to travails that lasted more than two decades. It also brought an end to the battle between the Raj Bhavan and Secretariat. Former Madras High Court judge K Chandru writes.
As the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, families of the victims who died with the former Prime Minister in a suicide bomb attack at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991, said the verdict was as an “injustice” to them.
Apart from Rajiv Gandhi, 15 others were killed in the bomb attack, including police personnel and Congress party workers. The Indianexpress.com traced some of their families, whose lives changed forever that day, and spoke to them post the Supreme Court verdict. Read full report here
Congress workers led by CLP leader K Selvaperunthagai stage a protest after the release of A.G. Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, at Rajiv Gandhi Memorial in Sriperumbudur, on Thursday.
(PTI Photos)
Tamil Nadu should become a major investment destination in the whole of South Asia and Coimbatore has to play an important role to help achieve the targets set by the state government, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Thursday.
During an interaction with captains of industry from Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts, Stalin said after the DMK came to power, investors meets were held, resulting in the signing of 131 agreements worth Rs 69,000 crore.
Tamil Nadu should top the list in industrial development in India, he said and added that Coimbatore should play an important role in helping achieve the target of making Tamil Nadu a one trillion dollar economy. (PTI)
Justice K T Thomas (retd), who headed the Supreme Court bench that sentenced A G Perarivalan to death in 1999, said Wednesday he wants to meet the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict and wished him to lead a normal life. Justice Thomas’s comments came soon after the top court ordered the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict Perarivalan, exercising its powers under the Constitution’s Article 142, which enables the court to pass orders to do complete justice in a case.
“I wish to see him,” said Justice Thomas after hearing the news of Perarivalan’s release in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. “Perarivalan, if you find time, please visit me…” Thomas said while speaking to The Indian Express from his residence at Kottayam, Kerala. “After the long incarceration and the release at the age of 50, what should I tell him? He should get married soon… He should live happily… with his dear ones. And I give complete credit to his mother (Arputham Ammal). She deserves the entire credit,” he said. Read more
The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) Thursday held a protest in Chennai against the Supreme Court verdict ordering the release of A G Perarivalan, who has been in jail for 31 years. TNCC President KS Alagiri had earlier said that they don't want to criticize SC's decision but strongly conveyed that the accused in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case were "murderers and not innocent."
Hours after the Supreme Court ordered his release, A G Perarivalan, convicted in 1998 for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, said his victory was a result of his mother’s struggle over the last three decades. Speaking to the media outside his house in Jolarpettai, Tamil Nadu, Perarivalan said the “honesty in (the) case” was what gave him and his mother, Arputhammal, the strength to fight for so long.
“She has faced lots of humiliations, insult, and pain over these years. Despite that, she has fought for justice for 31 years. The honesty in (this) case was what gave both of us the strength to fight this battle. The verdict is a victory for her struggle,” Perarivalan said. Asked what he would do next, Perarivalan said, “I have just come out. It has been 31 years of legal battle. I have to breathe. Give me some time.” Read more
In ordering the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict A G Perarivalan on Wednesday (May 18), the Supreme Court Bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai invoked the extraordinary power conferred on the court under Article 142 of the Constitution. “State cabinet had taken its decision based on relevant considerations. In exercise of Article 142, it is appropriate to release the convict,” the court said.
What is Article 142 of the Indian Constitution?
Subsection 1 of Article 142 (“Enforcement of decrees and orders of Supreme Court and orders as to discovery, etc.”) says “the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe." We explain here
The Congress Wednesday expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s verdict for the release of A G Perarivalan. “A terrorist is a terrorist and should be treated as one,” said communication department head Randeep Surjewala. The party’s reaction is interesting as the members of the Gandhi family have made statements in the past suggesting they have forgiven the killers of Rajiv. The Congress said Sonia and her children Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hold no ill-will against the killers of Rajiv. The party said it respects their sentiments but legal proceedings are different. Read more
When the Supreme Court ordered my release around 10.40 am, I was waiting at a public hall near my uncle’s house with a friend. Of course, I was waiting for the report from Delhi. And when the news finally came, I went home. My mother (Arputammal) who fought for me all these years was crying. My elder sister was too. In fact, I have never seen her cry so much. I had to struggle to calm her. My younger sister who reached home a little late, and my father, a retired Tamil teacher, were visibly happy. My mother didn’t speak to me today, she just kept crying. I don’t remember if I tried to comfort her. But yes, I have to sit with Amma and talk to her.
It has been a long legal battle for me. But I wasn’t tired as I knew how much my mother was fighting for me. I spent around 11 years inside a 6×9 feet cell in solitary confinement. It was in those days I started becoming aware of my senses — actually my diminishing senses. A room in which I had nothing but empty walls to look at. I told someone earlier how I used to obsessively count the bricks on the wall, take measures of the door and bolts and imagine the smells I craved. A G Perarivalan writes
“The Supreme Court has finally ordered my son’s release. So I am standing here to thank everyone. All of you know our fight for the past 31 years. I don’t have to tell you about him. You all respected my fight.” Surrounded by cameras, the exhausted 75-year-old hung on to her son’s arms at Jolarpettai in Tamil Nadu’s Tirupattur. Arputham Ammal’s long and gruelling fight for her son A G Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was finally over.
Surrounded by cameras, the exhausted 75-year-old hung on to her son’s arms at Jolarpettai in Tamil Nadu’s Tirupattur. Arputham Ammal’s long and gruelling fight for her son A G Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, was finally over. Arun Janardhanan writes
The Congress Wednesday expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s verdict for the release of A G Perarivalan, who has served over 30 years in jail in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, saying the BJP had created the circumstances for the order. “A terrorist is a terrorist and should be treated as one. Today, we are deeply pained and disappointed at the decision of the Supreme Court ordering the release of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassin,” said Congress communication department head Randeep Surjewala.
“We are deeply saddened by the decision of the Supreme Court. If those guilty of terrorism, an assassination of a Prime Minister are going to be released like this, then who will uphold the majesty and the integrity of law in this country?” Surjewala told reporters. The party’s reaction is interesting as the members of the Gandhi family have made statements in the past suggesting they have forgiven the killers of Rajiv.
DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, who met Perarivalan and his family, on Wednesday, welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict ordering the release of A G Perarivalan, who has served over 30 years in jail in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, and said “The SC order also clarified that the Governor cannot interfere in the powers of an elected state government.”
“The order will be remembered in history not just for an individual named Perarivalan, but for establishing the federal philosophy and autonomy of the state,” Stalin said. He added that Supreme Court judges have clearly mentioned while hearing Perarivalan’s release petition that the governor has no authority to intervene in the decision of the state government.
From when he first filed his mercy petition to when the Supreme Court ordered his release, the case of Rajiv Gandhi murder convict A G Perarivalan was lobbed from the state to the Centre, Governor House to Rashtrapati Bhavan, for seven years. The fortunes of Perarivalan – held at the age of 19 – swung as per the parties in power, even as multiple accounts since the May 21, 1991, assassination and the long probe kept shedding new light on the case.
While the key conspirators and assassins could not be caught alive, 26 accused were sentenced to death in 1998 by a TADA court. In 1999, the Supreme Court acquitted 19. Over the years that followed, the death sentence of four others was commuted to life – A G Perarivalan, Nalini, her husband and Sri Lankan national Murugan, and Santhan. Arun Janardhanan writes
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, exercising its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. The order came 24 years after Perarivalan was sentenced to death in the case by a lower court, and two months after he was granted bail by the apex court. Perarivalan was arrested on June 11, 1991, at the age of 19, weeks after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bomb attack at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21. Read more
Hello and welcome to today's live blog. We bring to you the latest updates and reactions after the Supreme Court's verdict on Wednesday ordering the release of A G Perarivalan, who has served over 30 years in jail in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Stay tuned!
The Supreme Court (SC) Wednesday ordered the release of AG Perarivalan, one of the convicts in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
Following the development, most political leaders in Perarivalan’s home state Tamil Nadu welcomed the apex court’s decision.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin congratulated AG Perarivalan on his release. Addressing media persons, Stalin said the Supreme Court order was a historic one. He noted that the DMK had promised to make efforts for the release of Rajiv Gandhi case convicts in its manifesto. Read more
When the Supreme Court ordered my release around 10.40 am, I was waiting at a public hall near my uncle’s house with a friend. Of course, I was waiting for the report from Delhi. And when the news finally came, I went home. My mother (Arputammal) who fought for me all these years was crying. My elder sister was too. In fact, I have never seen her cry so much. I had to struggle to calm her. My younger sister who reached home a little late, and my father, a retired Tamil teacher, were visibly happy.
My mother didn’t speak to me today, she just kept crying. I don’t remember if I tried to comfort her. But yes, I have to sit with Amma and talk to her. Read more
A terrorist is a terrorist and should be treated as one. Today, we are deeply pained and disappointed at the decision of the Supreme Court ordering the release of Rajiv Gandhi's assassin: Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
With many parties welcoming the decision, Congress, an ally of the ruling DMK government has differed from them and said they strongly say that the accused are murderers and not innocents.
“The Supreme Court only provided punishment to people who murdered former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. By pointing out a few legal nuances, the same court has now released Perarivalan. We don’t want to criticise the decision of the Supreme Court. At the same time, we would like to strongly convey that the accused (in Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case) are murderers and they are not innocent,” KS Alagiri, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President said in a statement.
He further noted that few people are saying that those who murdered the former prime minister are Tamils and they had spent their time behind the bars for more than 25 years and hence they should be released.
“Several hundred Tamils are behind the bars for more than 20 years, why is no one raising their voice to release them? Are they not Tamils? Is it only those who killed Rajiv Gandhi are Tamils? Alagiri asked.
He further added that to express their feeling about the Supreme Court order, tomorrow (Thursday) between 10 am to 11 am, their party men will tie their mouth with a white cloth and carry the placard “We will oppose violence, murder cannot be the solution for difference of opinion.”
The state's main opposition party AIADMK listed down the effort taken by their party to release the Rajiv Gandhi case convicts. In a joint statement, party co coordinator Edappadi K Palanisami and coordinator O Pannerselvam urged the Supreme Court to release the remaining six accused in the case based on their verdict today.
VCK leader and MP Thol Thirumavalavan took to Twitter and said the injustice committed to Perarivalan has been defeated. He said what punishment the law is going to provide to those responsible for this injustice against an innocent man. Further, he asked what measures the Union Government is going to take for the betterment of the affected Perarivalan.
He later shared a hand-written note of Senkodi and noted it’s their duty to remember her sacrifice.
Senkodi, a member of an organisation called Makkal Mandram, ended her life in 2011 by setting herself on fire. She left a note saying that she is ending her life with a hope that it will save the lives of three Tamils.
Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Kamal Haasan said 31 years is longer than the life sentence but they are feeling happy that at least the struggle has ended now. He added that when the governments played the blame game in the injustice to Perarivalan, the Supreme Court has come forward and released him.
In ordering the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict A G Perarivalan on Wednesday (May 18), the Supreme Court Bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai invoked the extraordinary power conferred on the court under Article 142 of the Constitution. “State cabinet had taken its decision based on relevant considerations. In exercise of Article 142, it is appropriate to release the convict,” the court said.
Article 142 of the Constitution
Subsection 1 of Article 142 (“Enforcement of decrees and orders of Supreme Court and orders as to discovery, etc.”) says “the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe.” Read the explained here
Perarivalan, who was 19 years old at the time of Gandhi’s killing in 1991, was accused of buying the two 9-volt batteries used in the bomb to assassinate the former prime minister. He was sentenced to death by a TADA court in 1998. The Supreme Court upheld the sentence the next year but commuted it to life imprisonment in 2014. The top court had granted him bail in March this year.
Here's a timeline of events in Perarivalan case
Hours after the Supreme Court ordered his release, A G Perarivalan, convicted in 1998 for the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, said his victory was a result of his mother’s struggle over the last three decades. Speaking to the media outside his house in Jolarpettai, Tamil Nadu, Perarivalan said the “honesty in (the) case” was what gave him and his mother, Arputhammal, the strength to fight for so long.
“She has faced lots of humiliations, insult, and pain over these years. Despite that, she has fought for justice for 31 years. The honesty in (this) case was what gave both of us the strength to fight this battle. The verdict is a victory for her struggle,” Perarivalan said. Read the full story here
Justice K T Thomas (retd), who headed the Supreme Court bench that sentenced A G Perarivalan to death in 1999, said Wednesday he wants to meet the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convict and wished him to lead a normal life.
“I wish to see him,” said Justice Thomas after hearing the news of Perarivalan’s release in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. “Perarivalan, if you find time, please visit me…” Thomas said while speaking to The Indian Express from his residence at Kottayam, Kerala. “After the long incarceration and the release at the age of 50, what should I tell him? He should get married soon… He should live happily… with his dear ones. And I give complete credit to his mother (Arputham Ammal). She deserves the entire credit,” he said.
Arun Janardhanan speak to Justice KT Thomas, read here.
CPI General Secretary D Raja Wednesday his party welcomed the Supreme Court verdict and pointed out at the long incarceration of Perarivalan. He also wanted the Governor to act in accordance with the Constitution and said the verdict raised many questions about the office of the gubernatorial post.
Reacting to the SC verdict, BJP state president K Annamalai Wednesday said the party "accepts" the apex court verdict, saying the relief to Perarivalan was given by the SC based on its extraordinary power under Article 142. "We also believe the Supreme Court will not allow compromising with our unity, security and integrity," he said in a tweet.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Wednesday congratulated AG Peararivalan after the Supreme Court ordered the release of the latter in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Stalin said that Perarivalan, who spent 31-years in prison, was finally able to breathe "free air."
"The order will be remembered in history as it stands as a testimony not for an Individual named Perarivalan, but for the federal philosophy and autonomy of the state," Stalin said. "Arputhammal is an example of motherhood. She showed how far a mother can go to dispel injustice committed against her son. My best wishes to her."
While ordering the release of A G Perarivalan, the Supreme Court exercised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai said that the Tamil Nadu Cabinet had in September 2018 recommended his release to the Governor taking into account relevant considerations. Article 142 enables the court to pass orders to do complete justice in a case.
It said that any delay on the part of the Governor to decide on the exercise of powers under Article 161 to grant pardon, remission of sentence etc is subject to judicial review. As the hearing in the Supreme Court proceeded, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Governor after considering all facts on record and perusing all relevant documents had recorded that the “President is the appropriate competent authority to deal with the…request”.
After the Supreme Court ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, Justice K T Thomas said he wished to see him soon. Speaking to the indianexpress.com Thomas said, “Perarivalan, if you find time, please visit me..' 'After the long incarceration and the release at the age of 50, what should I tell him? He should get married soon… He should live happily… with his dear-ones. And I give complete credit to his mother (Arputham Ammal). She deserves the entire credit,” he said.
Thomas, who headed the SC bench that sentenced him to death in 1999, said the release order of Perarivalan should be applicable to all other convicts in the case. Thomas said he was wondering why the Tamil Nadu Governor ignored the state cabinet recommendation to release the convicts for many years. “When the Governor is to function as per the advice of the state government, why did he ignore that? How many years delayed…” said Thomas.
After the Supreme Court ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, he said, “my mother’s struggle for 31 years has finally paid off.”
After the SC ordered the release of AG Perarivalan on Wednesday, his mother Arputhammal said, "Only if we sit and think we will know the pain of a person who has spent 31 years behind bar. My son has overcome that now."
"I would like to thank MK Stalin. I would also like to to thank all the leaders, and everyone who supported us and our struggle."
Speaking to the media after the verdict, AG Perarivalan's mother Arputhammal thanked everyone for their support. "I have struggled to get my son justice for over 31 years. You all have supported me. Thank you for that. I don't know what else to say apart from thank you."
After the Supreme Court ordered the release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict A G Perarivalan, his family was seen celebrating and didistributing sweets outside their residence in Jolarpettai.
The Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Perarivalan, who was 19 years old at the time of Gandhi’s killing in 1991, was accused of buying the two 9-volt batteries used in the bomb to assassinate the former prime minister. He was sentenced to death by a TADA court in 1998. The Supreme Court upheld the sentence the next year but commuted it to life imprisonment in 2014. The top court had granted him bail in March this year.
Here's a timeline of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
The Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Perarivalan alias Arivu was 19-years-old when he was arrested on June 11, 1991. He was accused of having bought two 9-volt ‘Golden Power’ battery cells for Sivarasan, the LTTE man who masterminded the conspiracy. The batteries were used in the bomb that killed Rajiv Gandhi on May 21 that year.
The Supreme Court Wednesday is likely to pass a judgement on a plea seeking the release of A G Perarivalan, one of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case today. Perarivalan alias Arivu, 50, was 19 when he was arrested on June 11, 1991. He was accused of having bought two 9-volt ‘Golden Power’ battery cells for Sivarasan, the LTTE man who masterminded the conspiracy. The batteries were used in the bomb that killed Rajiv Gandhi on May 21 that year.
The Madras High Court has come to the rescue of the students and the colleges imparting BSMS courses by directing the authorities concerned to publish the result of the withheld ones, admit the students and allow them to write the semester exam. Justice G R Swaminathan gave directions to this effect while allowing a batch of writ petitions from the students and colleges last week.
Nandha Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital in Erode, one of the petitioners, prayed for a direction to the authorities concerned to publish the results of first year exams held from September 13 to 18, 2021 for the students admitted in the lapsed seats of the BSMS Course for the academic 2019-2020 and permit them to write the supplementary examination and consequently to undergo the second year regular examination which is scheduled to be held from May 19 to June 7 this year. (PTI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin Tuesday flagged off the 256 mobile healthcare units worth Rs 46.8 crore, under the second phase of the scheme to provide health care services to people living in far off areas, an official release said. The government already rolled 133 mobile health care unit in the first phase.
Each unit would have a medical officer, nurse, driver, sanitary worker and would serve people living in remote areas by offering the healthcare services at their doorstep, it said. (PTI)
Tamil Nadu added 34 new Covid-19 infections pushing the overall tally to 34,54,686 while the death toll remained unchanged at 38,025 with nil fatalities in the last 24 hours, the Health department said. Recoveries rose to 34,16,337 with 42 more people getting discharged in the last 24 hours, leaving 324 active infections, a medical bulletin said.
Chennai added 17 new cases leading among districts, while Chengalpet logged 5 cases, followed by Kancheepuram (4), Coimbatore (3) while Erode, Krishnagiri, Tiruvallur, Tuticorin, Villupuram recorded one case each. The state capital leads among districts with 186 active infections and overall 7,52,129 coronavirus cases. (PTI)
After two days’ strike, members of the Tirupur Exporter’s Association were in Delhi on Tuesday to demand the Centre to ban cotton export. Following the unprecedented surge in cotton prices and a subsequent hike in yarn prices that has severely affected their businesses, the Tirupur Exporter’s Association decided to escalate the issue at the highest level.
The association members met union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal to raise key demands of a temporary ban on cotton exports, temporary ban on yarn exports or calibration formula to be invoked to ensure required supply of yarn to the domestic industries, removing Cotton from the Commodity Trading list and listing cotton under the Essential Commodities Act.
Hello and welcome to today's live blog. We bring to you the latest updates from across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Also follow our Twitter handle @ie_chennai for all the live updates. Stay tuned!