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The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi

the former Prime Minister of India, remains one of the most tragic events in the country's history

By BILL KISHOREPublished about a year ago 4 min read
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The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India, remains one of the most tragic events in the country's history. On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber while he was campaigning for the upcoming elections in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The assassination sent shockwaves throughout India and the world and led to one of the most high-profile criminal investigation cases in the country's history.

The Investigation:

The investigation into the assassination was carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is India's premier investigating agency. The CBI took over the case from the Tamil Nadu police and launched a massive investigation to uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination.

The CBI's investigation led to the arrest of 26 people, including the mastermind of the plot, Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE was a militant group that was fighting for the independence of Tamil Eelam, a region in Sri Lanka. The group had been involved in a long-standing conflict with the Sri Lankan government, and Rajiv Gandhi's assassination was seen as retaliation for India's intervention in the conflict.

The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case was one of the most high-profile criminal investigation cases in India's history. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is India's premier investigating agency, carried out a massive investigation to uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination. The CBI presented a range of evidence during the trial to prove the guilt of the accused. Here are some of the key pieces of evidence presented by the CBI in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case:

Eyewitness testimony: Several eyewitnesses testified during the trial, identifying the accused and describing their involvement in the assassination. Many of these witnesses had seen the accused at the scene of the crime, or had seen them preparing for the attack.

Forensic evidence: The CBI presented a range of forensic evidence during the trial, including the clothes worn by the suicide bomber, the remains of the explosive device used in the attack, and the fragments of the bomb found at the scene of the crime. The forensic evidence was crucial in establishing the link between the accused and the assassination.

Interception of communications: The CBI presented intercepted conversations between the accused during the trial, which showed their involvement in the conspiracy. The intercepted conversations included discussions about the planning and execution of the assassination, as well as discussions about the escape plan after the attack.

Confessions: Several of the accused confessed to their involvement in the assassination during the trial. The confessions were recorded and presented as evidence during the trial.

Identification of suspects: The CBI used a range of methods to identify the accused, including CCTV footage, photographs, and physical identification by eyewitnesses. The identification of the suspects was a crucial part of the investigation and helped to establish their involvement in the conspiracy.

Overall, the evidence presented by the CBI during the trial was extensive and varied. The combination of eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, intercepted communications, confessions, and identification of suspects helped to establish the guilt of the accused and secure their conviction.

The Trial:

The trial in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case was one of the longest and most complex in Indian history. The trial began in 1994 and lasted for over 18 years, with the verdict being delivered in 2011. During the trial, the prosecution presented a massive amount of evidence to prove the guilt of the accused, including eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and intercepted conversations between the accused.

The trial resulted in the conviction of all 26 accused, with 19 of them being sentenced to death and the rest being sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court of India in 2014.

The Aftermath:

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi had a profound impact on India's political landscape. Rajiv Gandhi was seen as a charismatic and progressive leader who was widely popular among the people of India. His assassination led to a wave of grief and anger throughout the country, with many people demanding justice for his death.

The assassination also had a significant impact on India's relationship with Sri Lanka. India had been involved in the Sri Lankan conflict since the 1980s, and Rajiv Gandhi's assassination was seen as a direct result of India's intervention in the conflict. The assassination led to a strain in India's relationship with Sri Lanka and also had an impact on the country's policy towards the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

Conclusion:

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi remains one of the most tragic events in Indian history. The investigation and trial in the case were long and complex, and the verdict in the case was widely debated. However, the case remains an important reminder of the need for justice and accountability in the face of violence and terrorism.

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi had a significant impact on India's political landscape and its relationship with Sri Lanka. The case remains a crucial moment in India's history, and the lessons learned from it continue to shape the country's policies and approach towards terrorism and violence.

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About the Creator

BILL KISHORE

Storyteller, dreamer, and adventurer.

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