Santhan, Rajiv convict who was given Lankan visa, dies of cardiac arrest

SANTHAN alias T Suthenthiraraja, one of the seven released convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, died at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) here on Wednesday. He was 55.

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Santhan was hospitalised a month ago with complaints of breathing difficulty and swelling in the legs. He was diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis, a non-alcoholic liver condition. RGGGH dean Dr E Theranirajan said, "Santhan refused a liver biopsy to know the cause for liver failure. He had memory loss now and then, he was under intensive care treatment. On Tuesday, there was deterioration in his health condition and he lost consciousness. He was on ventilator support. At 4 am he suffered cardiac arrest, Doctors performed CPR and revived him. But that failed and at 7.50am he was declared dead." According to hospital sources, a p