HC permits Veerappan's wife to conduct ritual

Chennai, Oct 12: The Madras High Court today permitted the widow of slain sandalwood smuggler Veerappan to conduct 'Annadanam' (feeding the poor) on his 11th death anniversary but made it clear that only the ritual and no other activity can be performed.

In her petition, Muthulakshmi said police shot dead her husband on October 18, 2004 in an encounter and every year she performed Annadanam during his death anniversary. She said she sought permission from Mettur Police to perform Annadanam this year also but they refused to permit it and also denied permission to erect a banner giving publicity about the programme.

Hence she sought the court's direction to police to grant permission for erecting the banner and conduct the poor feeding. Passing orders on the plea, Justice M M Sundersh directed police to grant permission to Muthulakshmi to perform Annadanam.

The judge also directed police to allow her to erect the banner at the place where the programme was going to be conducted and not any other place. The judge made it clear that she shall be permitted to perform Annadanam alone. "If Muthulakshmi indulges in any other activities other than Annadanam it is open to police to take action in accordance with law including cancellation of permission," the judge said.

PTI