Even as the fugitive from law Dharmarajan landed in the Poojappura central prison, veteran CPM leader V S Achuthanandan paid a surprise visit to the Suryanelli victim’s house in Changanassery on Saturday affirming support to the family’s fight for justice.
Dharmarajan, who was arrested from Kargal near Sagar taluk in Shimoga district in Karnataka on Friday, was produced before the Additional District and Sessions (Special) Court, Kottayam, at 11 am on Saturday. The court sent him to the central prison to complete his term for rigorous imprisonment for 13 years, which the same court had awarded on July 12, 2002.
Amid strong speculation over the Opposition Leader’s plan to move the court in the light of fresh evidence and revelations in the rape case, Achuthanandan visited the girl’s house around 1 pm along with a few local CPM leaders. He talked to her parents for 30 minutes and later told reporters that he would provide assistance to the girl’s family, if required.
He said the aim of the visit was to enquire about the health of the girl’s father, who has been suffering from heart ailments. “He had undergone a bypass surgery two years ago and I asked about his health. We did not discuss anything on the case,” VS said. When asked whether VS would move the court seeking justice for the rape victim, he said it would be decided after discussing it with legal experts.
Later, the girl’s father said that VS was the first person to enquire about his health ever since the Suryanelli case had hit the headlines. “VS visit has provided a great relief to us. He asked about my health issues and consoled us. He did not talk anything about the case and related issues,” he said.