A. G. Perarivalan, also known as Arivu, remains a significant figure in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. His involvement, conviction, and subsequent release have sparked considerable debate and discussion.

Wiki/Biography

A. G. Perarivalan was born on July 30, 1971, in Jolarpet, Tamil Nadu. He pursued a Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering before his arrest at the age of 19 in 1991. Remarkably, while incarcerated, he completed his 12th-grade education in 2012 with an impressive 91.33%—the highest among all prisoners. He furthered his education, earning a Bachelor of Computer Applications and a Master of Computer Applications degree from IGNOU.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 11″
• Hair Colour: Black
• Eye Colour: Black

Family & Caste

Perarivalan’s father, T. Gnanasekaran, was a Tamil teacher and poet (pen name: Kuyildasan). His mother, Arputham Ammal, a homemaker, tirelessly advocated for his release, earning the affectionate title “Arivamma.”

He has two sisters: A. G. Anbumani, an engineer, and A. G. Arulselvi, a teacher at Annamalai University.

Perarivalan remains unmarried.

Arrest & Sentence

The CBI arrested Perarivalan on June 11, 1991, for his alleged role in providing a battery used in the assassination. Charged under the TADA Act, he was convicted of conspiracy and murder. Initially sentenced to death in 1998, this was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2014.

A Major Revelation After 26 Years

A former CBI officer’s affidavit in 2017 claimed that Perarivalan’s confession was incompletely recorded, suggesting he may not have known the intended use of the battery. However, the CBI refuted this claim in 2018.

Publication

Perarivalan authored “An Appeal From The Death Row,” detailing his perspective on the case. This book, available in Hindi, English, and Tamil, presents his account and appeals for justice.

Release

The Supreme Court, invoking Article 142, ordered Perarivalan’s release on May 18, 2022, after more than 30 years of imprisonment.

Facts/Trivia

While in prison, Perarivalan:

• Tutored fellow prisoners.
• Led a prison music band.

His story inspired the creation of the Perarivalan Educational Trust, providing free education to underprivileged children.

He experienced health issues, including high blood pressure, and suffered an attack within the prison.

Educational Achievements While Imprisoned

Here’s a summary of A.G. Perarivalan’s remarkable academic achievements during his imprisonment: