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. 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.
  2. 1 2 3 "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.
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