In an unexpected turn of events, the Gobichettipalayam additional bench justice Mani had ordered the release of the 9 accused who were arrested in connection to the kidnapping of Kannada superstar Rajkumar years ago. In 2000, when Kannada actor Rajkumar was in his farm house, he was kidnapped by Sandalwood smuggling expert Veerappan, on July 30, in Erode's Thottagajanur near Thaalavadi.
After various levels of negotiations and after 108 days Rajkumar was finally released. This case had been happening for 18 years, and of the accused, the main including Sethukuli Govindan and Chandra Gowda were killed in encounters, while Mallu had passed away owing to health reasons. Ramesh is still absconding, and the remaining 9 were being inquired.
Justice Mani had ordered the 9
accused to appear yesterday, and after numerous questions, and citing that the
opposite party did not cooperate, the accused including Ezhumalai, Basavanna,
Selva, Amirthalingam. Nagaraj, Kalmandiraman, Maran and Govindaraj were set
free by Justice Mani as there were no concrete evidences.
