Muthulakshmi

Muthulakshmi is the widow of Veerappan, a killer and sandalwood smuggler who was killed by Special Task Force police in 2004. She lives in Salem, Tamilnadu, India.[1] She was born in Neruppore village, Dharmapuri District to a poor farming family.

Wife of Veerappan

She married Veerappan in 1990.[1] With Veerappan she lived in the forests of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala border areas. Police booked her for various crimes and murders carried out by Veerappan's gang.[1] Police charged that Veerappan gave Muthulakshmi a large amount of money after he reportedly received ransom money for his role in Kannada actor Rajkumar's kidnapping.[2]

Arrests

Five charges were booked against Muthulakshmi, including: killing police personnel in Palar blast, killing elephants and smuggling sandalwood between 1991 and 1993.[1][3] She was also booked for kidnapping Rajkumar with Veerappan (he was released after 108 days). Muthulakshmi was acquitted along with 10 others, but 13 relatives of Muthulakshmi were convicted.[2] Muthulakshmi was acquitted in almost all cases registered against her.[1]

Personal life

Muthulakshmi has two daughters, Vidyarani and Prabha, who are studying engineering in Tamil Nadu.[1]

Muthulakshmi lives in Salem where she undertakes social service activities to help people within her community, and those who were affected by law enforcement agencies for helping Veerappan.[1] She filed a case against filmmaker A.M.R. Ramesh for showing her slain husband poorly in his film, Vana Yuddham and received compensation of Rs.25 lakhs before the picture was released.[4][5]

Political ambitions

Muthulakshmi has previously run for office and has political ambitions to make use of her husband's "Robin Hood" image to support her local Vanniyar community.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Shiva Kumar, M T (26 April 2011). "Muthulakshmi to bring out book on ‘police atrocities'". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi was acquitted in actor Rajkumar kidnap case". India Today. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Muthulakshmi taken to Erode". The Hindu. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "Filmmaker allays wife's qualms over Veerappan biopic". The Hindu. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  5. ↑ Venkatesan, J (15 February 2013). "SC asks film producer to pay Rs. 25 lakh to Veerappan’s widow". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2013.