In a rare and striking transformation that reflects both personal resilience and the long journey of India’s justice system, A G Perarivalan, once a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has now entered the legal profession as an advocate enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
After spending more than three decades in prison and being released in 2022, Perarivalan has taken a completely new path, this time inside courtrooms not as an accused, but as a practicing lawyer at the Madras High Court.
From accused teenager to one of India’s most watched cases
His journey spans from being arrested as a teenager in 1991 to now standing in legal robes at the same judicial institution where his fate was once decided. At just 19 years of age, he was taken into custody in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, one of the most sensitive criminal cases in independent India.
He was accused of procuring a battery allegedly linked to the explosives used in the attack. In 1998, he was sentenced to death by the trial court. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment after prolonged legal proceedings and delays in deciding his mercy petition.
What followed was a long period of incarceration that extended to 31 years, making him one of the longest serving prisoners in the case.
Education and learning behind prison walls
While in prison, Perarivalan’s life took an academic turn. Despite the constraints of incarceration, he pursued multiple educational qualifications, including degrees in computer applications and various diploma courses through distance education.
Reports indicate that he consistently engaged with academic programs offered by Tamil Nadu Open University, often performing well in examinations while serving a life sentence. His time in prison gradually became a period of structured learning and self development rather than stagnation.
Supreme Court order and release after three decades
His release in 2022 came after the Supreme Court exercised its extraordinary constitutional powers, bringing an end to decades of legal uncertainty. The decision marked a turning point in a case that had remained in the public and legal spotlight for years.
Soon after walking free, he decided to pursue formal legal education, enrolling at Dr B R Ambedkar Law College in Bengaluru.
From law student to practising advocate
After completing his law degree, he appeared for and cleared the All India Bar Examination in 2025, meeting the final requirement to practice law in India. Earlier this week, he officially registered as an advocate and is now preparing to practice at the Madras High Court.
His entry into the legal profession marks a complete shift from being a subject of legal proceedings to becoming a participant within the system.
Focus on prisoners’ rights and undertrial cases
Perarivalan has stated that his decision to enter the legal profession is driven by his personal experience of the justice system. Rather than focusing on high profile criminal defence work, he intends to dedicate his practice to prisoners and undertrial inmates who often lack adequate legal representation.
According to statements reported by PTI, he has expressed interest in cases involving prolonged detention, delayed trials, and individuals who remain incarcerated without timely judicial outcomes. His approach is expected to centre on legal aid and reform oriented advocacy.
A wider reflection on justice and reform
His transition from convict to advocate also brings renewed attention to broader issues within the criminal justice system, including case delays, prison overcrowding, and access to legal support for marginalised prisoners.
Legal observers note that his lived experience inside the system may offer a distinct perspective in courtrooms, particularly in cases involving incarceration and procedural delay.
Beginning a second innings at 54
At 54, Perarivalan begins a second life shaped by law, education, and advocacy. Once confined within prison walls for over three decades, he now enters courtrooms with a different role, aiming to represent those who remain trapped in long legal battles.
His journey stands as an unusual legal transformation, moving from the centre of one of India’s most debated criminal cases to the front lines of legal advocacy.
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