MADURAI: At 48, Selvaraj is a happy man. From being a life convict, he received a title - ‘family man’, on Wednesday.
Convicted in the notorious Auto Shankar serial killer case and languishing in jail for over two decades, never in his dreams had he thought a woman would share his life of sorrow.
But F.Kalarani (37), a nurse showered all her affection on him during her visits to the Chennai Central Prison to meet Dravida Iyakka Thamizhar Peravai general secretary Suba Veerapandian with whom Selvaraj shared his cell in 2000. Their love blossomed within the four walls of the jail and grew stronger over the years.
With gun-toting cops around, the two hearts united in a formal wedding after 14-long years at a modest function sans rituals at a private hotel here.
“I should consider myself fortunate as none would want to marry a prisoner, but Kalarani fell in love with me and was firm on her decision to marry me,” said an elated Selvaraj.
He may be a partner in a chilling crime but all that Kalarani sees in him is his ‘human’ side.
“As I started visiting him regularly, I realised that he was a good human being punished due to ill-fate,” she says. His helpful tendency impressed her.
Kalarani comes from a poor family from Yagappanpatti in Dindigul district and grew up in a charity home in Chennai.
A week ago, the Madras High Court granted him parole for 35 days for his marriage. Though released from Palayamkottai Central Prison last Sunday, he would be under the watchful eyes of armed police escorts during his parole period.
Suba Veerapandian presided over the marriage function.