Veerappan aides’ bail conditions relaxed in Rajkumar abduction

CHENNAI: Abduction of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar by forest brigand Veerappan in 2000 is a distant memory now. But a few are aware that at least 10 associates of Veerappan, including his brother Madhaiyan, had been signing before a magistrate court in Sathyamangalam every month, after being convicted and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for one year.
On Tuesday, the Madras high court relaxed the conditions and said they could appear before the magistrate court in Sathyamangalam once in three months.
Eleven people, including Veerappan and Madhaiyan, were charged with conspiring and abducting Rajkumar and three others from the actor's farmhouse at Doddakajanur Thottam, and keeping them in illegal custody till November 14, 2000. According to police, Veerappan received 15 crore as ransom in three instalments through negotiators.
Noting that a portion of the ransom amount was given to Madhaiyan and other accused, police charged them with offences punishable under Section 412 (receiving property stolen in dacoity), besides other charges.
After a sessions court found them guilty of only receiving stolen property and imposed one year prison term besides a fine, they filed an appeal in the high court. While suspending the sentence on November 7, 2012, the high court directed them to appear before the judicial magistrate court in Sathyamangalam on the first working day of every month.
Noting that they had been complying with the condition and appearing before the court every month, Veerappan's brother and others filed a petition to relax the bail conditions. They said they were farm labourers and finding it difficult to commute every month from Mettur to Sathyamangalam.
On Tuesday, Justice R Mala relaxed the bail terms, and said it is enough if they appear before the same magistrate court in Sathyamangalam once in three months.