Sivarasan: The Mastermind Behind Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassination

Chandrasekaran Packianathan, popularly known as Sivarasan or One-Eyed Jack, remains one of the most shadowy and mysterious figures in India’s modern history. He was the key conspirator behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991. A senior operative in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Sivarasan engineered one of the most complex political assassinations of the 20th century, blending espionage, suicide bombing, and deep undercover operations.

Early Background and Rise in LTTE

Sivarasan was born in Sri Lanka and became deeply involved with the LTTE at a young age. Trained in guerrilla warfare and intelligence, he quickly rose through the ranks due to his discipline and intelligence-gathering capabilities. He lost one of his eyes during a confrontation, earning him the nickname “One-Eyed Jack” among Indian intelligence officials.

He first came under the radar of Indian authorities after the assassination of EPRLF leader K. Padmanabha in Chennai in 1990—a crime he is believed to have orchestrated. This set the tone for his more significant and destructive mission that would soon follow.

The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Plot

Rajiv Gandhi had fallen out of favor with the LTTE due to India’s intervention in the Sri Lankan civil war via the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). The LTTE considered him a threat to their cause. Consequently, LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran approved a plan to eliminate Gandhi, and Sivarasan was assigned to lead the operation.

With autonomy and resources at his disposal, Sivarasan entered India covertly and began building a network of sympathizers and operatives. He smuggled gold into the country to fund the operation, rented safe houses, and used coded messages to communicate with LTTE high command in Jaffna. He even maintained secret diaries to record logistics, addresses, phone numbers, and expenses—all in tiny Tamil-script notebooks that were later uncovered by Indian investigators.

Execution of the Assassination

Sivarasan selected Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, alias Dhanu, as the suicide bomber. She was a young LTTE operative trained to carry out the mission. On the night of May 21, 1991, during a campaign rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, Dhanu approached Rajiv Gandhi with a garland. Concealed under her dress was an RDX-laden belt bomb. As she bent to touch his feet, she triggered the explosive, killing herself, Rajiv Gandhi, and 14 others.

The event shocked the nation and the world. Forensic experts and intelligence agencies quickly traced the origins of the plot, leading them back to Sivarasan and his hideout operations in South India.

The Manhunt and Final Stand

After the bombing, Sivarasan went underground. Using a network of LTTE sympathizers, he evaded capture for nearly three months. Finally, in August 1991, Indian authorities tracked him down to a house in Konanakunte near Bangalore. A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) surrounded the building.

Before the authorities could apprehend him, Sivarasan shot himself while the remaining LTTE operatives, including Subha (another female operative), consumed cyanide—a tactic often used by LTTE cadres to avoid capture.

Legacy and Importance

Sivarasan’s case remains significant in India’s security history. He showcased how international terrorist networks could infiltrate domestic territory and operate with precision. The notebooks he left behind provided Indian intelligence with crucial evidence and insights into LTTE operations in Tamil Nadu.

The assassination had a long-lasting impact on Indian politics. It ended Rajiv Gandhi’s political career and played a key role in the subsequent general elections. It also led to a complete ban on the LTTE in India.

Conclusion

Sivarasan was more than just a terrorist—he was a strategist, spy, and executioner rolled into one. His ability to coordinate a high-profile assassination on Indian soil reflects both the strengths of the LTTE’s intelligence operations and the vulnerabilities of Indian internal security at the time. Though he died without facing trial, his actions left an indelible mark on Indian political history and counter-terrorism policy.