Why would a convict who had turned his life around, even becoming a social benefactor, go back to a life of crime? It’s a question worthy of attention from a student of behaviour. N. Sekar, who has an M.A. in psychology, could possibly provide a unique perspective, as someone who has been accused of just such a thing.
The Chennai police arrested Sekar on Tuesday for a series of burglaries in the Nolambur and Mogappair areas of the city. The Nolambur police station special team, headed by Vivekanandan, crime inspector, identified him after viewing CCTV footage from the affected localities. They picked up Sekar and seized around 50 sovereigns of gold and two vehicles from him.
Now 52, Sekar was a middle-class lad who got addicted to drugs in his youth — this got him the nickname ‘Powder’ — and began stealing to finance his habit. He was arrested a few times for petty offences, and eventually, in 2006, booked under the Goondas Act for breaking into houses in Arumbakkam and Aminjikarai localities. He served a one-year jail sentence, after which he was admitted to a rehabilitation centre. His wife separated from him in 2006, and took their children with her.
Sekar came out of rehab seemingly a reformed man: he studied for a master’s degree in psychology via distance education, and in 2008, with the help of donations, started Spirit of Freedom, a rehabilitation centre in Thiruverkadu for others grappling with substance abuse. “There were 10 people being treated at the centre,” a police officer said.
He seemed to want to contribute even more to society: he began constructing an old age home in Tiruvallur, in memory of his late mother. Police inquiries revealed that he had run short of funds and applied for a loan, but was rejected. His burglary spree commenced shortly after that.
Sekar was remanded in police custody on Wednesday, and police investigations are still in progress.
