CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday permitted Vidya Rani (21), daughter of slain forest brigand Veerappan, to go and live with her lover-turned-husband Mariya Deepak (22).
When Sembium police inspector in Salem district produced Rani before a division bench comprising justices C Nagappan and M Sathianarayanan, Rani asserted that she would like to go with her husband.
She also pointed out to the judges that she was 21 and therefore a major. On being informed about the illness of her mother Muthulakshmi, she went to see her and was not permitted by her mother to return to Chennai, she told the judges.
Deepak, who was also present in the court, told the judges that he was willing to take Rani along with him.
Photocopies of the marriage registration certificate were also produced before the judges. Recording the submissions of Rani, the judges allowed the habeas corpus writ petition and set Rani at liberty.
Struck a Relationship, Married on March 30
Mariya Deepak (22) heaved a sigh of relief on Wednesday after the Madras High Court helped him unite with his wife Vidya Rani, daughter of slain brigand Veerappan.
According to sources, Deepak, a BBA graduate from Loyola College, fell in love with Rani, then a student of Women’s Christian College, when he met her at a college function. The relationship continued for over two years and after graduation, they married on March 30 this year.
While Rani’s mother Muthulakshmi objected to the marriage, Deepak’s parents didn’t, it is learnt. The marriage was registered with the Kodambakkam Sub-Registrar on April 23 last.
The couple was living in a hotel room here till August 25 last, when Rani’s mother Muthulakshmi took her back to their native place on the assurance that she would acknowledge her marriage. She also told Rani that she would like to have her (Rani’s) at a function at Veerappan’s ‘samadhi’ in Macheri village in Salem district. During Rani’s stay there, Muthulakshmi tried to work on her to change her mind.
At present, Deepak is unemployed. He and Rani are may settle down in Bangalore, where his parents live.