The Madras High Court has refused to order the premature release of one of the life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Nalini. In 2014, prior to the Lok Sabha polls, the Tamil Nadu government sought the opinion of the Union Home Ministry on releasing all the seven convicts in the Rajiv case. However, the Centre filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the state government's inclination for the premature release of the convicts. It is to be taken up for hearing by a constitution bench of the apex court.<br/><br/>The state government, in its reply before the High Court today said, as the matter is now sub judice, it cannot take any decision on her plea. After hearing the case, Justice Satyanarayanan disposed of the case saying Nalini's plea for premature release could be considered by the state government after the Supreme Court decides on the related case. As per the rules in practice, in cases investigated by the CBI, the state governments cannot unilaterally take any decision on premature release of convicts.