What governments did, and what it cost the country

What was done

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recommended release of all seven convicts on 9 September 2018. The Supreme Court ordered A.G. Perarivalan's release on 18 May 2022 under Article 142, and on 11 November 2022 ordered the release of the six remaining convicts, applying the Perarivalan judgment.

What it meant for the country

The Supreme Court's 2022 orders secured the release of all seven convicts, ending their imprisonment of over 30 years.

• The Supreme Court's 2022 orders resulted in the release of seven convicts who had been imprisoned for over 30 years. [1][5][9][10]
• The ruling established that a Governor's inaction or delay on a State Cabinet's remission recommendation under Article 161 is subject to judicial review, and that the Governor is bound by the Cabinet's advice. [9][10][15][23]

Step by step

1. 1991-05-21
   Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, by a suicide bomber at an election rally. [7][10][22]
2. 1999-05-11
   The Supreme Court upheld A.G. Perarivalan's conviction but set aside the TADA conviction. [14]
3. 2015-12
   A.G. Perarivalan's mercy petition under Article 161 was pending before the Tamil Nadu Governor since December 2015. [10]
4. 2018-09-09
   The Tamil Nadu Cabinet passed a resolution recommending the release of all seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. [15][17][22]
5. 2021-01-25
   The Tamil Nadu Governor forwarded Perarivalan's Article 161 petition and the Tamil Nadu Cabinet's recommendation to the President. [21]
6. 2022-05-18
   The Supreme Court ordered the release of A.G. Perarivalan, invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. [2][3][9][27]
7. 2022-06-17
   The Madras High Court dismissed writ petitions by Nalini Sriharan and R.P. Ravichandran seeking premature release without the Governor's consent, holding it could not exercise Article 142 powers. [5][18][26]
8. 2022-06-28
   The Madras High Court modified and deleted a portion of its 17 June 2022 order relating to the Advocate-General's submissions. [18]
9. 2022-08-12
   Nalini Sriharan and R.P. Ravichandran moved the Supreme Court seeking premature release. [21]
10. 2022-09-26
    The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government on the plea by Nalini Sriharan and R.P. Ravichandran. [21][25][28]
11. 2022-10-13
    The Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that its 2018 aid and advice for remission of the life sentences of Nalini Sriharan and R.P. Ravichandran was binding on the Governor. [16]
12. 2022-11-11
    The Supreme Court ordered the premature release of the six remaining convicts — Nalini, Ravichandran, Jayakumar, Suthenthiraraja @ Santhan, Murugan and Robert Pius — applying its Perarivalan judgment. [5][8][10][15]

The documents

1. [1] SC Orders 6 Rajiv Case Convicts Freed After 30+ Years in Prison Web, vajiramandravi.com
2. [2] Supreme Court Orders Release Of AG Perarivalan, Convict In ... - LiveLaw Press, livelaw.in
3. [3] Supreme Court orders release of A G Perarivalan, convict in Rajiv ... Press, indianexpress.com
4. [4] Supreme Court orders 6 Rajiv case convicts freed after 30+ years in ... Press, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
5. [5] Rajiv Gandhi assassination case | Supreme Court orders release of all ... Press, thehindu.com
6. [6] Supreme Court stays Tamil Nadu government's move to release convicts in ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
7. [7] Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Supreme Court orders release of all ... Press, indiatoday.in
8. [8] The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, and why Supreme Court has freed ... Press, indianexpress.com
9. [9] Perarivalan, Rajiv Gandhi case convict, released by Supreme Court ... Press, thehindu.com
10. [10] Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: All 6 convicts set free by Supreme Court Press, hindustantimes.com
11. [11] A. G. Perarivalan - Wikipedia Web, en.wikipedia.org
12. [12] SC orders release of 6 convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case ... Web, freepressjournal.in
13. [13] A.G. Perarivalan vs The State Of Tamil Nadu State Through ... Court, indiankanoon.org
14. [14] A.G. PERARIVALAN v. THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU STATE THROUGH ... Court, casemine.com
15. [15] IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE ... - LiveLaw Press, livelaw.in
16. [16] Tamil Nadu favours pre-mature release of Rajiv Gandhi case ... Press, indianexpress.com
17. [17] Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Tamil Nadu Cabinet ... Press, indianexpress.com
18. [18] Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case: Madras HC modifies order in ... Web, sabrangindia.in
19. [19] R.p. Ravichandran (s) v. State Of Tamil Nadu Rep. By Its ... Court, casemine.com
20. [20] R P Ravichandran Vs The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by Its On 11 ... Web, scribd.com
21. [21] SC orders release of six Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts including ... Web, etvbharat.com
22. [22] Tamil Nadu government recommends releasing 7 convicts in Rajiv Gandhi ... Press, hindustantimes.com
23. [23] SC frees six convicts in 1991 Rajiv Gandhi assassination case [Read Order] Web, lawstreet.co
24. [24] Tamil Nadu cabinet recommends to Governor the release of convicts in ... Web, lankaweb.com
25. [25] SC orders release of 6 remaining life convicts in Rajiv Gandhi ... Web, timesnownews.com
26. [26] Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Madras HC dismisses plea seeking ... Press, indianexpress.com
27. [27] A.G. Perarivalan vs The State Of Tamil Nadu State Through ... on 18 May ... Court, indiankanoon.org
28. [28] Supreme Court Releases Rajiv Gandhi Killers - indiawest.com Web, indiawest.com
29. [29] Supreme Court orders release of all six convicts: Rajiv Gandhi ... Web, sabrangindia.in
30. [30] Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: All six convicts granted early release ... Press, scroll.in

Compiled from the documents cited, 30 Sept 2026

What was done

The Supreme Court, in its order of 2 March 2023, constituted an Expert Committee and directed SEBI to investigate whether there was share price manipulation in Adani Group companies. SEBI investigated 24 matters and filed status reports with the Court. The Expert Committee submitted its report on 6 May 2023. On 3 January 2024, the Supreme Court declined to transfer the investigation from SEBI to a Special Investigation Team or the CBI, declined to revoke amendments to the SEBI (Foreign Portfolio Investments) Regulations, 2014 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and directed SEBI to complete two pending investigations within three months.

What it meant for the country

The Supreme Court itself recorded a loss of investor wealth and market volatility following the Hindenburg report, though no figure for the loss is stated in the judgment.

• The Supreme Court noted 'the loss of investor wealth in the aftermath of the report by Hindenburg Research' and recognized 'the dire need to protect Indian investors from unanticipated volatility in the market'. No monetary figure was stated. [2]
• The Supreme Court recorded that writ petitions raised concerns over 'the precipitate decline in investor wealth and volatility in the share market due to a fall in the share prices of the Adani Group of Companies'. [14]

Step by step

1. 2023-01-24
   Hindenburg Research published a report alleging that the Adani Group manipulated its share prices and failed to disclose transactions with related parties and other relevant information in violation of SEBI regulations. Hindenburg disclosed it had taken a short position in the Adani group through US-traded bonds and non-Indian traded derivative instruments. [2][14]
2. 2023-02
   Writ petitions were filed before the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution raising concerns over the precipitate decline in investor wealth and volatility in the share market due to a fall in the share prices of the Adani Group of Companies. [2][14]
3. 2023-03-02
   The Supreme Court noted the loss of investor wealth in the aftermath of the report, directed SEBI to conclude its investigation within two months and file a status report, constituted an Expert Committee to assess the regulatory framework, and directed the Committee to report within two months. SEBI and the Expert Committee were to work in collaboration with each other. [2][11][13][15]
4. 2023-03-10
   The Supreme Court noted that SEBI was already seized of investigations into the Adani group since 2020. [2]
5. 2023-05-06
   The Expert Committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court in compliance with the interim order. [2][15]
6. 2023-05-17
   The Supreme Court granted SEBI an extension of time till 14 August 2023 to submit its status report about its investigation. [2][15]
7. 2023-08-14
   SEBI filed an interlocutory application intimating the Court about the status of the twenty-four investigations which were undertaken by it. [2]
8. 2023-08-25
   SEBI submitted a status report providing details about the twenty-four investigations. [2]
9. 2024-01-03
   The Supreme Court pronounced judgment. It declined to transfer the investigation from SEBI to a Special Investigation Team or the CBI, declined to revoke amendments to the SEBI (Foreign Portfolio Investments) Regulations, 2014 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and directed SEBI to complete two pending investigations within three months. [2][15]

The documents

1. [1] Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd vs Adani Power (Mundra) Limited on ... Court, indiankanoon.org
2. [2] Vishal Tiwari vs Union Of India on 3 January, 2024 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
3. [3] Union Of India Through Secretary vs M/S Adani Power Ltd on 28 August, 2025 Court, indiankanoon.org
4. [4] Supreme Court - Daily Orders - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
5. [5] Adani Power Limited vs Shapoorji Pallonji And Co. Pvt. Ltd. on 24 March ... Court, indiankanoon.org
6. [6] Adani Power Limited vs Central Electricity Regulatory ... on 19 January ... Court, indiankanoon.org
7. [7] Adani Power Limited vs Shapoorji Pallonji And Co. Pvt. Ltd on 8 May, 2024 Court, indiankanoon.org
8. [8] Pr. Commissioner Of Income Tax 1 vs Adani Wilmar Ltd. on 12 January, 2024 Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] Adani Power Ltd vs Union Of India on 5 January, 2026 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
10. [10] Adani Bunkering Pvt Ltd vs Ahmedabad-Ii on 22 January, 2024 Court, indiankanoon.org
11. [11] Vishal Tiwari vs Union Of India on 2 March, 2023 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
12. [12] Fakir Mamad Suleman Sameja vs Adani Prots And Special Economic Zone ... Court, indiankanoon.org
13. [13] PDF Government of India Ministry of Corporate Affairs Lok Sabha Un-starred ... Parliament, sansad.in
14. [14] PDF 2024 INSC 3 Reportable Court, api.sci.gov.in
15. [15] Adani Hindenburg case verdict: Supreme Court rejects ... - CNBCTV18 Web, cnbctv18.com

Compiled from the documents cited, 30 Sept 2026

What was done

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Senthil Balaji on 14 June 2023 in the cash-for-jobs money-laundering case. The Madras High Court rejected his bail on 19 October 2023 and again on 28 February 2024. The Supreme Court granted him bail on 26 September 2024, finding that keeping him in custody for over 14 months without trial violated his right to a speedy trial.

What it meant for the country

The Supreme Court found that keeping Senthil Balaji in custody for over 14 months without trial violated his constitutional right to a speedy trial under Article 21.

• The Supreme Court held that the prolonged incarceration of over 14 months and the unlikelihood of the trial concluding in the near future infringed the right to speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution. [3][4][7]
• The Supreme Court noted that the trial of the scheduled offences had not even begun and the PMLA trial could not conclude until the predicate offences were decided, with over 2000 accused and 600 witnesses in the predicate offences. [3][4]

Step by step

1. 2023-06-14
   The Enforcement Directorate arrested Senthil Balaji in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Report for an offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, punishable under Section 4. He was remanded to judicial custody the same day. [7][8][9]
2. 2023-06-15
   Senthil Balaji was admitted to Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Chennai. [9]
3. 2023-06-16
   The Principal Sessions Judge dismissed his bail application by a speaking order and granted remand for 8 days from 16 June 2023 with conditions, including that the Deputy Director of Enforcement Directorate not remove him from Kaveri Hospital. [8]
4. 2023-08-07
   The Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the habeas corpus matter (Criminal Appeal Nos. 8652-8653 of 2023 and connected matters), dealing with whether the Enforcement Directorate has the power to seek custody of a person arrested under the PMLA and whether a habeas corpus petition is maintainable after a judicial order of remand. [8]
5. 2023-08-12
   A complaint was filed for the offence under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4. Cognizance was taken by the Special Court under the PMLA. [3][4][7]
6. 2023-10-19
   The Madras High Court (Justice G. Jayachandran) rejected Senthil Balaji's bail petition in Crl.O.P.No.23629 of 2023, holding that his health condition did not require release on bail and that the non-cooperation of a co-accused justified the apprehension of flight risk. [9]
7. 2023-10-30
   The Supreme Court recorded in a daily order that both parties asked for time in the special leave petition against the Madras High Court order dated 19 October 2023. [6]
8. 2024-02-28
   The Madras High Court rejected Senthil Balaji's bail application under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. [3][4][7]
9. 2024-09-26
   The Supreme Court (2024 INSC 739, Criminal Appeal No. 4011 of 2024) allowed the appeal, set aside the Madras High Court order dated 28 February 2024, and granted bail to Senthil Balaji subject to conditions including surrendering his passport to the Special Court under the PMLA at Chennai. [7]

The documents

1. [1] Madras HC rejects Senthil Balaji's anticipatory bail in TASMAC case Web, thenewsminute.com
2. [2] Madras HC rejects Senthil Balaji's anticipatory bail in TASMAC graft ... Web, nationpress.com
3. [3] Supreme Court Grants Bail to Former Minister in PMLA Case Due ... Court, lawtext.in
4. [4] Supreme Court Grants Bail to Former Minister in PMLA Case Due ... Court, lawtext.in
5. [5] V Senthil Balaji granted bail by Supreme Court in alleged ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
6. [6] V. Senthil Balaji vs The Deputy Director Directorate Of ... Court, indiankanoon.org
7. [7] V. Senthil Balaji vs The Deputy Director on 26 September, 2024 Court, indiankanoon.org
8. [8] V. Senthil Balaji vs The State Represented By Deputy ... on 7 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] V.Senthil Balaji vs / on 19 October, 2023 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
10. [10] V Senthil Balaji vs The Deputy Director Directorate Of ... on ... Court, indiankanoon.org

Compiled from the documents cited, 12 Oct 2026

What was done

The Supreme Court (Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra) quashed the mayoral election result declared by presiding officer Anil Masih and declared Kuldeep Kumar, the AAP–Congress alliance candidate, the validly elected Mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. The Court found that Masih had marked eight ballot papers as invalid, claiming they were defaced, which vitiated the election, and ordered that the eight invalidated ballots be treated as valid; it also initiated Section 340 CrPC proceedings and contempt proceedings against Masih for making false statements before the court.

What it meant for the country

The Supreme Court corrected the flawed mayoral election outcome by setting aside the result and declaring Kuldeep Kumar elected Mayor, treating the eight invalidated ballots as valid, and moved to hold the presiding officer accountable through perjury and contempt proceedings.

• The Supreme Court ordered that the eight ballot papers declared invalid be treated as valid, resulting in AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar being declared elected Mayor in place of the earlier declaration in favour of the eighth respondent. [1][4][6]
• The Supreme Court initiated criminal proceedings under Section 340 CrPC and contempt proceedings against presiding officer Anil Masih for making false statements before the court, with a show-cause notice requiring him to respond in the Punjab and Haryana High Court within three weeks. [6][9]

Step by step

1. 2024-01-30
   Election for the post of Mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation was conducted with Anil Masih as presiding officer; the result sheet showed 36 votes polled, 8 declared invalid, leaving 28 valid votes, with Kuldeep Kumar receiving 12 and the eighth respondent 16, leading to the eighth respondent's declaration as Mayor. [1][2][10]
2. 2024-01-31
   The Punjab and Haryana High Court declined to grant interim relief staying the election result and listed the writ petition after three weeks. [1][7]
3. 2024-02-05
   The Supreme Court viewed the video recording of the counting in open court and directed that the Chandigarh mayoral election records, including ballot papers and video footage, be sequestered. [1][7]
4. 2024-02-19
   At the continued hearing, Anil Masih informed the Supreme Court that he had marked the eight ballot papers because he found they had been defaced. [1][7]
5. 2024-02-20
   The Supreme Court set aside the election result declared by the presiding officer and declared Kuldeep Kumar the validly elected candidate for Mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. [1][5][6][7]
6. 2024-02-20
   The Supreme Court directed that the eight invalidated ballots be treated as valid, and initiated criminal proceedings under Section 340 of the CrPC and contempt proceedings against Anil Masih; a show-cause notice was issued and he was asked to file a response in the Punjab and Haryana High Court within three weeks. [4][6][9]

The documents

1. [1] Supreme Court Quashes Election Result and Declares Appellant Mayor in ... Court, lawtext.in
2. [2] KULDEEP KUMAR v. U.T. CHANDIGARH | Supreme Court Of India | Judgment ... Court, casemine.com
3. [3] Chandigarh election news: Chandigarh mayoral polls: SC declares AAP's ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
4. [4] chandigarh mayor elections: Chandigarh Mayor polls: SC lashes out at ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
5. [5] Chandigarh Mayor Election | Supreme Court Declares AAP ... - LiveLaw Press, livelaw.in
6. [6] AAP candidate declared Chandigarh mayor, Supreme Court overturns ... Press, indiatoday.in
7. [7] Chandigarh Mayor Polls: Supreme Court Judgment overturns election ... Web, scconline.com
8. [8] Supreme Court verdict in Chandigarh mayoral election offers ... - Frontline Press, frontline.thehindu.com
9. [9] Chandigarh Mayoral Polls: SC Serves Notice to Returning ... - News18 Web, news18.com
10. [10] Kuldeep Kumar v. U.T. Chandigarh and Others - Supreme Court Cases Web, supremecourtcases.com
11. [11] Supreme Court Takes Firm Action in Chandigarh Mayor Election ... Web, digpu.com

Compiled from the documents cited, 30 Sept 2026