The CBI will soon approach the Sri Lankan authorities to authenticate the death of LTTE boss Velupillai Prabhakaran and its intelligence chief Pottu Amman Sivershankar so that the trial against the two in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case could be brought to an end.
Both the accused were wanted by the country's premier investigating agency in connection with the assassination of the former Prime Minister on May 21, 1991 and the agency had issued a Red Corner warrant from Interpol. CBI officials said today they were aware of the news reports emanating from the Island nation about the killing of Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman. "We will approach the Lankan authorities through Ministry of External Affairs for authenticating the death of the two LTTE men after which an application will be moved for abating charges against the two," a senior CBI official said.
If the confirmation about the death was received, this would end the trial of the wanted accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman and women wing Chief Akila were the only wanted accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Akila was killed in 1995 by Sri Lankan army and the CBI had abated charges against her. A total of 26 people were produced in the court by the CBI out of which 13 were Sri Lankan nationals. The CBI was the first organisation which blew the lid over LTTE's terror network in India as the agency gave detailed description about its functioning in its chargesheet.