Rajiv Gandhi Assassination: The Truth Behind the Blast

The Rajiv Gandhi assassination on May 21, 1991, remains one of the most shocking events in India’s political history. A powerful suicide bombing at an election rally in Tamil Nadu ended the life of India’s youngest Prime Minister. Carried out by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), the attack shook the nation and sparked a massive investigation. This blog explores the complete story—from the tragic blast to the hunt for the killers, the trials, and its lasting effects. Discover the truth behind the Rajiv Gandhi assassination and why it still matters in today’s political and security landscape.

I. Introduction

On the evening of May 21, 1991, a loud explosion at a peaceful election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, left the entire nation stunned. Among the victims was Rajiv Gandhi, India’s former Prime Minister and one of the youngest political leaders the country had ever seen. The news spread like wildfire—Rajiv Gandhi had been assassinated in a brutal suicide bombing.

This wasn’t just the loss of a political leader. It was a direct attack on India’s democracy. The murder shocked millions and raised one big question: Who killed Rajiv Gandhi—and why?

The incident led to one of India’s most intense investigations, a 90-day nationwide manhunt involving top agencies. It revealed dark international connections and a revenge plot that had been years in the making. Over time, this story has been told through books, news reports, and recently, the Sony Liv web series The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the truth behind the blast, the people and politics involved, and why the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case still matters today.

Let’s start with what really happened on that fateful day.

II. The Day of the Blast: What Happened?

It was a warm evening on May 21, 1991, in Sriperumbudur, a small town near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The crowd was excited. People had gathered to see and hear Rajiv Gandhi, who was campaigning for the upcoming general elections. As a former Prime Minister and a key leader of the Indian National Congress, Rajiv Gandhi was popular, especially among the youth.

He arrived at the rally around 10:00 PM and walked through the crowd, shaking hands and smiling. People came close to offer garlands and greet him. One young woman wearing a traditional outfit walked up to him with flowers. As Rajiv bent slightly to receive the garland, a sudden explosion tore through the crowd.

In an instant, everything turned into chaos.

Rajiv Gandhi and 14 others died on the spot. The explosion was so powerful that their bodies were badly mutilated. Dozens more were injured. What was supposed to be a peaceful political rally had become one of the darkest moments in India’s modern history.

The woman who approached him was later identified as Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, also known as Dhanu. She was carrying a belt bomb under her dress, making this a planned suicide bombing. It was one of the first such attacks in Indian politics and shocked the nation to its core.

Did You Know?
A young police photographer, Haribabu, was also killed in the blast. But his camera survived and captured the final moments before the explosion—these photos later helped investigators crack the case.

The Rajiv Gandhi bomb blast wasn’t random. It was carefully planned, and there was a larger force behind it. In the next section, we’ll explore: Who really wanted Rajiv Gandhi dead—and why?

III. Who Was Behind the Assassination?

After the tragic Rajiv Gandhi assassination, the biggest question on everyone’s mind was:
👉 Who killed Rajiv Gandhi—and why?

Soon, the blame pointed toward an international militant group known as the LTTE, or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. This group, based in Sri Lanka, was fighting for a separate Tamil nation in the northern part of that country.

But why would a Sri Lankan rebel group target an Indian Prime Minister?

The Background: India’s Role in Sri Lanka

In 1987, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which aimed to bring peace to war-torn Sri Lanka. As part of the agreement, India sent troops known as the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to help disarm the rebels—including the LTTE.

However, the LTTE did not welcome this move. They saw it as a betrayal, especially since the IPKF clashed violently with their fighters. Many Tamils in Sri Lanka felt India was no longer on their side. For the LTTE, Rajiv Gandhi became a direct enemy.

A Revenge Plot

The Rajiv Gandhi murder case revealed that the LTTE had carefully planned the suicide bombing as revenge for India’s military action in Sri Lanka. Dhanu, the suicide bomber, was trained by the LTTE and sent to carry out the attack.

The plot wasn’t just emotional—it was strategic. Killing Rajiv Gandhi was meant to scare India away from getting involved in Sri Lanka again. Sadly, it worked.

💡 Did You Know?
Just before his death in 1987, Rajiv Gandhi was attacked by a Sri Lankan naval cadet during a ceremonial event in Colombo. The cadet hit him with a rifle—but Rajiv Gandhi stayed calm, which earned him praise for his courage.

So, to answer the question “Who killed Rajiv Gandhi?”—it was the LTTE, through a planned suicide attack carried out by one of their trained members. But catching the people behind this act wouldn’t be easy. It led to one of the most intense investigations in Indian history.

IV. The Investigation: A 90-Day Manhunt

After the assassination, India launched a massive and urgent mission to catch the people responsible. This wasn’t just any investigation—it became one of the biggest manhunts in Indian history, led by the CBI’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The First Big Clue

Believe it or not, the turning point came from a camera.

A young photographer named S. Haribabu had been at the rally. Tragically, he died in the blast, but his camera survived. When investigators developed the film, they found photos of the assassin—Dhanu—standing close to Rajiv Gandhi just seconds before the explosion.

This evidence proved that the bombing was a suicide attack, and not a random act of violence.

Cracking the LTTE Network

The SIT, led by D. R. Karthikeyan, dug deeper. They followed small clues—hotel bookings, phone records, rented houses, and movement of unknown people across South India. Over the next 90 days, they identified and arrested dozens of people linked to the LTTE sleeper cell behind the attack.

They even uncovered video tapes of the conspirators celebrating the assassination, further proving their involvement. The investigation showed just how far the LTTE’s network had spread inside India.

A Book and a Web Series

The story of this gripping investigation was later written in a book titled:
📖 “Ninety Days: The True Story of the Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassins” by D. R. Karthikeyan.

More recently, the case was brought to life in a web series called:
📺 The Hunt – The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, available on Sony Liv.

The series gives a detailed view of how intelligence officers, law enforcement, and forensic experts worked together under pressure to uncover the truth.

💡 Interesting Fact:
Some of the accused tried to escape India through Kerala’s coastal borders but were caught before they could flee.

Thanks to the SIT’s relentless efforts, India cracked one of the most complex assassination plots in its history. But what happened to the people arrested? Let’s find out in the next section.

Coming up next: Arrests, Trials, and Supreme Court Verdict

V. Arrests, Trials, and Supreme Court Verdict

Once the investigation was complete, the Rajiv Gandhi murder case entered the courtroom. The legal battle that followed was lengthy and complex. In 1998, the court delivered its verdict—and it made headlines across the country.

26 People Convicted Under TADA

A special court in Chennai found 26 people guilty of being part of the assassination plot. They were charged under a tough anti-terror law called TADA—short for the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

• 4 of them were sentenced to death
• The rest received life imprisonment

These people weren’t just the attackers. They included those who helped plan the bombing, provided safe houses, transport, money, and even false documents for the killers.

Among them were:

• Nalini Sriharan, the only surviving female convict, who was closely connected to the suicide bomber Dhanu
• Murugan, a Sri Lankan national and LTTE operative (Nalini’s husband)
• Perarivalan and Santhan, Indian Tamils who assisted in logistics and planning

Public Debate: Justice or Mercy?

Over the years, the death sentences of the four convicts were commuted to life imprisonment, mostly due to mercy petitions and public appeals.

Some argued that these people had already spent decades in jail and deserved a second chance. Others believed that justice for Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination required full punishment.

The topic remained a sensitive political issue, especially in Tamil Nadu.

Supreme Court’s Final Call in 2022

In a major decision, the Supreme Court of India ordered the release of all six remaining convicts in November 2022, including Nalini and Perarivalan. The court said they had shown good behavior, had already served over 30 years, and were eligible for early release under law.

This decision created mixed reactions—some people supported it, others were deeply hurt, especially Rajiv Gandhi’s family and Congress supporters.

💡 Did You Know?
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajiv Gandhi’s daughter, visited Nalini in jail in 2008. She later said it was her way of “forgiving” the people who took her father’s life.

The legal chapter of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case may now be over, but the questions around justice, terrorism, and forgiveness still remain.

Next up: Rajiv Gandhi: His Legacy and Political Impact

VI. Rajiv Gandhi: His Legacy and Political Impact

Even though his life was cut short, Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy still lives on. He served as India’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989 and brought in many changes that helped shape modern India.

Modernizing India with Technology

Rajiv Gandhi strongly believed in using technology to move India forward. He promoted:

• Computers and IT in offices and schools
• Telecommunication reforms that helped rural areas get better phone access
• Science and education, giving young people new opportunities

He once said, “India is an old country but a young nation,” showing his focus on the youth and the future.

These changes laid the foundation for India’s digital revolution, making him a forward-thinking leader.

Fighting Corruption (But Facing Charges Too)

Rajiv promised to clean up corruption in politics and government. He introduced new laws to make government processes more transparent. But sadly, his own image was hit by the Bofors scandal, a defense deal that allegedly involved bribes. Though he was never found guilty, the issue damaged his reputation and led to his party’s defeat in 1989.

Still, many believe he tried his best to bring honesty and change to Indian politics.

Peace Efforts and Regional Leadership

Rajiv also worked on peace agreements in troubled regions:

• He signed the Punjab Accord to bring peace after years of violence
• He agreed to send Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) to Sri Lanka to help control the civil war (though this backfired and led to tensions)

Even though some of these decisions had mixed results, they showed his effort to build peace in India and nearby countries.

Supporting the Youth and Women

Rajiv encouraged education reforms, especially for girls. He pushed for policies that supported youth leadership, believing that young people could bring new energy and ideas to India’s future.

💡 Did You Know?
The Indian government created several programs and awards in his name, like the Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, to honor excellence in different fields.

Despite the controversies, Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution to India cannot be denied. He was a leader who aimed to take India into the 21st century—and in many ways, he succeeded.

Next Up: The Aftermath: How India Changed

VII. The Aftermath: How India Changed

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991, shook the very core of India’s democracy. It wasn’t just the death of a former Prime Minister; it was a turning point that led to major political, social, and security changes in the country. Let’s take a closer look at how India changed after this tragic incident.

A Wake-Up Call for National Security

The suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur revealed major gaps in India’s security system. For the first time, a suicide bomber—Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, also known as Dhanu—had managed to get so close to a high-profile leader. This exposed how outdated and unprepared India’s VIP protection protocols were.

After the blast:

• Security measures were overhauled. The Special Protection Group (SPG), initially formed after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, was strengthened and got more powers.
• Screening procedures at political rallies and public events became stricter.
• There was greater coordination between state police, intelligence agencies, and central forces to track and prevent such threats.

These changes continue to shape how public figures are protected in India today.

Political Impact and Sympathy Wave

The Congress party immediately gained massive public sympathy after the assassination. Although the Congress didn’t win a majority in the 1991 general elections, it became the single largest party. P.V. Narasimha Rao was chosen to lead a minority government, marking the beginning of a new economic era.

Interestingly, while Rajiv’s assassination gave the Congress a short-term advantage, it also marked the beginning of an era of coalition politics. The once-dominant party now had to share space with regional powers and new political players.

Tamil Nadu’s Politics and Public Sentiment

Tamil Nadu was deeply affected by the incident. Since the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Sri Lankan Tamil militant group, was behind the killing, public opinion in the state shifted dramatically.

• Support for the LTTE declined sharply.
• Political parties in Tamil Nadu, which earlier sympathized with the Tamil cause in Sri Lanka, began distancing themselves from violent groups.
• India’s policy on Sri Lanka also changed. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) mission from 1987–1990, already criticized, was now viewed as a failed foreign intervention.

A Shift in India’s Counter-Terrorism Policy

The assassination changed how India looked at terrorism. The investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the subsequent verdicts sent a strong message that cross-border terrorism, even when related to another country’s conflict, would not be tolerated on Indian soil.

India started taking stronger diplomatic steps and intelligence collaboration with global allies to combat terrorist networks. It also helped in pushing international pressure on Sri Lanka to act against the LTTE.

India’s political and social history, shaped by centuries of migrations and invasions, played a significant role in influencing post-assassination narratives. Explore our detailed article on India’s historical roots to get the bigger picture

VIII. External Resources to Learn More

If you’re interested in exploring the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case in more depth, here are some reliable resources that offer documentaries, interviews, and detailed reports.

If you’d like to understand the case through visual storytelling and detailed analysis, check out this in-depth video by Dhruv Rathee:

👉 The Rajiv Gandhi Murder Case | Who killed him?

This video breaks down the entire timeline, investigation, and conspiracy theories in a way that’s easy to follow and well-researched.

These links can help you understand not just the events, but also the legal, political, and emotional impact that followed..

1. YouTube: News Archives and Documentaries

• NDTV & India Today have uploaded video reports and retrospectives marking anniversaries of the assassination.
• Search phrases to use:
  • “Rajiv Gandhi Assassination documentary”
  • “Sriperumbudur blast investigation”
  • “Rajiv Gandhi funeral and public reaction”

2. Government and Court Reports

• Judgment on the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case (Supreme Court of India)
  Visit indiankanoon.org and search for “Rajiv Gandhi assassination Supreme Court judgment” for the full legal ruling, convict list, and reasoning.
• CBI/SIT Case File Overview
  Although not all documents are public, summaries of the case investigation are available on websites like cbi.gov.in and news articles archived by The Hindu and The Indian Express.

3. Books

• “The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination: The Investigation” by D.R. Karthikeyan – Former head of the SIT, this book provides a first-person account of the manhunt and investigation.
• “Assignment Colombo” by J. N. Dixit – Offers insight into India’s relations with Sri Lanka and how it all ties into the LTTE’s motives.

4. Articles from Trusted News Sources

• The Hindu, Scroll.in, BBC News, and India Today have special pages dedicated to retrospective analysis and interviews.

Tip: When researching such sensitive topics, always cross-check sources. Many conspiracy theories and unverified claims float around. Rely on court documents, official news outlets, and documentaries backed by factual evidence.

IX. Conclusion: Why It Still Matters

The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi was more than just the killing of a political leader—it was a turning point in India’s modern history. It exposed the vulnerabilities in national security, highlighted the threat of foreign insurgent groups, and reshaped India’s political landscape.

Even decades later, the case continues to raise questions about terrorism, justice, and political accountability. It reminds us that leadership can come with deep risks, especially in a diverse and complex country like India. For many, the events of May 21, 1991, are etched in memory, not just for the tragedy but for the changes they triggered in how India handles internal and external threats.

By looking back, we don’t just understand the past—we gain insights to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy, marked by hope, progress, and unfinished ambitions, continues to influence the nation’s path even today.

X. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)