Muthulakshmi
Muthulakshmi is the widow of Veerappan, a notorius killer and sandalwood smuggler who was killed by Special Task Force police in 2004. She lives in Salem, Tamil Nadu, 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 2 3 4 5 6 7 Shiva Kumar, M T (26 April 2011). "Muthulakshmi to bring out book on ‘police atrocities'". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi was acquitted in actor Rajkumar kidnap case". India Today. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ↑ "Muthulakshmi taken to Erode". The Hindu. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ↑ "Filmmaker allays wife's qualms over Veerappan biopic". The Hindu. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
- ↑ Venkatesan, J (15 February 2013). "SC asks film producer to pay Rs. 25 lakh to Veerappan’s widow". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2013.