This comprehensive biography details the life and involvement of Robert Payas, a key figure in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. We will explore his background, family, role in the events, and subsequent trial and imprisonment.

Wiki/Biography

Robert Payas, also known as Robert Pious, was born in 1980 in Kokuvil, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He was a Sri Lankan Tamil. At the age of 20, in September 1990, he arrived in India with his wife and relatives, registering as refugees in Rameswaram. They later settled in Madras (now Chennai).

Family & Ethnicity

Robert Payas hailed from a Sri Lankan Tamil family.

Parents & Siblings

His father’s name was Balasundaram. Further details about his parents and siblings remain limited in publicly available information.

Wife and Children

Robert Payas married R. Prema at a young age. Their son, Thamilko, was born on February 6, 1991, in Chetpet, Madras.

Role in the Assassination

Payas was implicated as a suspected member of the LTTE. His role involved providing logistical support, including providing shelter to the assassins. He allegedly rented houses in Madras used by the conspirators to plan the assassination.

Trial and Judgement

Following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination on May 21, 1991, Payas was arrested on June 10, 1991. The CBI investigated his involvement. His trial under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) led to an initial death sentence. However, this was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1999, commuting his sentence to life imprisonment. The appeals process highlighted concerns about the transparency of the initial trial.

The legal battles surrounding his case were protracted and involved significant public debate concerning due process and human rights. The Supreme Court’s decision to commute his sentence signified a critical juncture in the legal saga.

Facts/Trivia

Key facts about Robert Payas’ life and trial include:

• His wife, R. Prema, is the sister of Jayakumar, another convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.
• Payas claimed during his trial that his young son was killed by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) before he arrived in India.
• In 2019, he received a 30-day parole to attend his son’s wedding – his first release since his arrest.

Additional Information

The case involving Robert Payas highlights the complexities of post-assassination investigations and legal challenges. The ongoing discussion about the release of the convicts also underlines the sensitive and intricate nature of national security and justice.