Freedom eludes Veerappan''s wife

Freedom continues to elude wife of slain forest brigand Veerappan even after her acquittal in all five cases in Karnataka as she is wanted in connection with a case pending against her in Tamil Nadu. Muthulakshmi, arrested by Karnataka police in November 2008, was exonerated of charges in the last of the five cases by a Chamrajnagar court on Wednesday.
She had earlier been acquitted in four other cases. In the last case relating to the gunning down of six policemen by her husband in 1993, the court acquitted her for lack of evidence. However, Muthulakshmi, shifted to central jail here six months ago after perceived threats to her safety, had not been released since a case was pending against her in Tamil Nadu, a top jail official said today. "There is no question of Muthulakshmi's arrest or re-arrest. There is a case pending against her and she is likely to be produced before a Tamil Nadu court soon," DIG Prisons Vishwanathiah told PTI. Relieved at her acquittal, Muthulakshmi had said on Wednesday that she was not involved in any of the crimes committed by her husband. "Justice has prevailed. I had done nothing wrong... I was arrested only because I am Veerappan's wife. Now my only wish is to take care of my children." Veerappan, one of the most wanted criminals charged with murder of hundreds of people during his jungle rule, was shot dead by the Special Task Force Personnel in 2004.