Former dacoit of Chambal valley offers helping hand to foster sister

Bhopal, Jan 11 (UNI) In a unique case which might put Bollywood melodramas to shame, a former dacoit has offered to extend a helping hand after the wife of a senior retired IPS officer complained of being a victim of domestic violence.

A dreaded dacoit of Chambal valley in the 1980s, Malkhan Singh and former Additional Director General of Police Rajendra Chaturvedi's wife Deepanita had entered into a brother-sister relationship after the latter tied 'Rakhi' during the negotiations for the dacoit's surrender before the then Chief Minister Arjun Singh in 1982.

Two days ago, police had registered a case against Mr Chaturvedi on the complaint by Ms Deepanita, who had accused her husband of physicially and mentally harrasing her.

Responding to her SOS call over telephone, Malkhan promised to help his foster sister and sort out the family dispute after talking to Mr Chaturvedi.

Talking to UNI, Malkhan said though the 'Rakhi' relationship was not continued for long by the Chaturvedi family, he was still ready to help them out.

Malkhan also offered to provide his five bigha land to Deepanita if she had problems related to livelihood.

Recalling his association with the family, he said he had then insisted Ms Deepanita to enter into the 'Rakhi' relationship only if she would maintain it. However, the ritual continued for 2-3 years only.

Lamenting that the former IPS officer's family had forgotten him, Malkhan said they didn't turn up to console him when his 23-year-old son died in a road accident but paid a courtesy visit to Phoolan Devi's residence after her death.

UNI