1. In all these cases, the petitioners are seeking to issue a writ of declaration, declaring that the order of the first respondent/Governor, in rejecting the mercy petitions dated 110. 1999 submitted by the petitioners as communicated in the communication dated 210. 1999, issued by the forth respondent as ultra vires, the Constitution of India illegal and inoperative.

2. The petitioners were charge-sheeted and tried in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case. The designated Court convicted them for offences under Section 302 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and under TADA and other offences. The appeals preferred by the petitioners were dismissed by the Apex Court. Even the Review Applications ended in dismissal, as a result of which the date was fixed by the jail authorities for hanging the petitioners.

3. Thereafter, according to the petitioners, they have submitted the petitions dated 110. 1999, claiming the mercy of the Governor of the State of Tamil Nadu with enclosures and annexures in support of their claim. Under the impugned proceedings the Deputy Secretary to Government, Home Department informed the petitioners that the Governor of Tamil Nadu wh