Friday, Apr 18, 2003
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Tamil Nadu
By V. Jayanth
Though the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in her Assembly announcement, focussed on the role of her predecessor and DMK chief, M. Karunanidhi, and the `emissary' to the forests, the police are preparing to spread the dragnet further. They want to look at all segments and sources involved in `operation rescue'. According to a senior police officer, ``We already know about the involvement of so many individuals and groups in the concerted move to secure the release of the thespian. Apart from the two State Governments, there were two emissaries, the film industry, a granite lobby from Karnataka and an individual with a Sri Lankan connection. In addition, there is the charge of ransom money having been paid to Veerappan. Though it is two years late, it will be worthwhile getting to the bottom of the whole drama''. The police officer does not deny that since the DVAC is handling the probe, it could focus more on the corruption and ransom angle. But if there is a prima facie case, the CB-CID or any other agency can step in and take up further investigation into any possible connections or conspiracy. Based on the information and some evidence the police claim to have in their possession already, there is a definite suspicion that ``some ransom was paid'' to the brigand. But there are several questions - who paid the money, who carried it and where was it delivered? Was it paid in full to Veerappan or did others share the spoils? These are some of the angles that the DVAC will look at. The former Karnataka Director-General of Police, C. Dinakar, and his book have been the starting point of this probe. Police sources argue that the involvement of, apart from Veerappan, two banned organisations — Tamil Nadu Liberation Army and Tamil Nationalist Retrieval Troops— will have to be borne in mind in unravelling this mystery. ``If huge sums were paid either to the brigand, or worse, to these banned groups, how can we afford to ignore it?'', asks the official. A parallel probe in Karnataka will be ideal to get a full picture of ``all transactions and understanding all the players'', he says. But there are enough indications that the Karnataka Government "has closed this chapter and is unwilling to probe it''. In the absence of information and inputs from that State, there is a realisation that the DVAC probe may be a `wild goose chase'. It is possible that at some stage, if and when there is any shred of evidence pointing to payment of ransom, Tamil Nadu will approach the Centre for assistance to take the probe to its ``logical conclusion''. As of now, the sources say, the DVAC enquiry teams will collect all possible information on any `financial transaction' which took place during the 108 days, Mr.Rajkumar was held captive, particularly, during the last phase in which several new players got into the rescue act. The agency is expected to concentrate on the film industry and the granite lobby.
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