"Chandraswami had a hand in the plot"

CHENNAI, MAY 13: Ranganath, the Indian released from the Chennai Central Prison on Wednesday, has said he is ready to reveal all the deta...

CHENNAI, MAY 13: Ranganath, the Indian released from the Chennai Central Prison on Wednesday, has said he is ready to reveal all the details of the plot to assassinate former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, including "who financed Sivarasan," to the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA).

"It is godman Chandraswami who is the godfather," Ranganath told waiting mediapersons at the entrance of the Chennai Central Prison soon after he was released at 6.29 pm. He, however, did not elaborate on the subject. The motive behind Rajiv’s killing was to create a political vacuum in the country, Ranganath said.

"I was the only person who stayed with Sivarasan and I was forced to harbour the one-eyed Jack – the mastermind behind the assassination," Ranganath said adding that he had disclosed this to the then Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief D R Karthikeyan. "But I was silenced," Ranganath claimed.

Ranganath went on to add that he had also given all the information he had regarding the assassination, andabout harbouring Sivarasan to the Justice Jain Commission. Sivarasan and four others had stayed at Ranganath’s house in Konanakunte after carrying out the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

"I am ready to give each and every detail to the MDMA, including details of who funded the operation," he said.

He said he is also willing to give details of how Sivarasan was able to smuggle foreign weapons into the country, and how he moved from places to place, including to Sriperumbudur where the former prime minister was killed.

Asked how he felt about being free after eight years, Ranganath said, "Even though I am bitter, I know I am through."