52 convicts released in Mysuru on good conduct

Four associates of forest brigand Veerappan walk free on I-Day

Fifty-two convicts, including four persons who were associated with forest brigand Veerappan, were released from the Central Prisons Mysuru, on Monday, for their good conduct, on Independence Day. They included 17 women.

District Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa issued certificates for their release during a programme organised on the premises of the Central Prisons Mysuru. U A Anburaj, Siddan, Thangaraju and Appuswamy, who were behind the bars for a long time are said to be Veerappan’s associates. Anburaj, a native of Anthiyur of Bhavani taluk, Erode district, in Tamil Nadu, who was in the prison for 18 years, was welcomed by his father Utharaj.

Anburaj was married to a convict, also from TN, who was convicted in a murder case in Bengaluru, and has a daughter, Muktha. Anburaj was an actor in Hulagappa Kattimani’s plays. Revathi was released on good conduct six months ago.

Sunil, who had come to receive his mother Hema, who was released on Monday said, “My mother could not pay her last respects to my father Kempiregowda, who died three months ago. She could not take part in any of the rituals. We were not even allowed to give her the ‘prasada’ of the 11th day ceremony”.

Hema, a resident of Mellahalli, Mysuru taluk, was imprisoned for life in connection with the suicide of a woman of her village. Her brother also died only last week. When she was imprisoned, Sunil was a 12-year-old boy, while his sister was 10 years old. His sister is now a married woman.

Siddegowda of T Narsipur, now 67, who had suffered a paralysis stroke in the prison, is handicapped and has problems in walking. He was convicted 13 years ago in a murder case. “I always thought that I would die inside the prison. I had lost hope that I will ever see my relatives,” he said.

Magalli Mahesh, who was released on good conduct six months ago, received his mother Rajamma on Monday. They were convicted in connection with the murder of his paternal aunt in 2003 over a property dispute.

Chokira Subbaiah and his son Chokira Lokesh of Madikeri were released together on Monday. They were convicted in a murder case. Lokesh had killed a man, who had attacked his father. When he was arrested, he was just 18 years old. His brother Thimmaiah had come to receive them.

Three women of the same family from Gayathripuram in the city were released on Monday. They are Khairunnisa, her daughter Afsari and niece Nargis. They were convicted in a dowry harassment case. Khairunnisa’s other daughters and sons are now married and have children.

Sanosh, a convict, who was released on Monday, has completed three degrees under distant education system from the prison.