The Madras High Court today granted an interim stay for eight weeks on the execution of the three convicts Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The petition was heard by Justice C.Nagappan and Justice M.Satyanarayanan. The State and the Central Government have been asked to file a counter reply within the prescribed period. Eminent lawyers Mr.Ram Jethmalani, Mr.Colen Gonsalvez and Mr Mohit Chawdhury appeared on behalf of the applicants.