THE HINDU
March 28, 2003
Tamil Nadu
In a landmark judgment, the Madras high court today exonerated Ramasamy and made the state responsible for his unjust conviction. Ramasamy, a lorry driver, was convicted way back in 1985 for allegedly killing two members of the then opposition party by driving his lorry over them and subsequently denying the fact that he was even at the scene of the accident. Today, 18 years and several PILs later, the court decided that there was not enough evidence against the man to convict him and that he ought to be freed immediately. Ramasamy is 65 and has a wife and two children, the whereabouts of whom remain a mystery.
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‘But why do you people want to release me now? At this age where will I go? And How will I survive? Ramasamy shrugged off the strong hands that were gripping him and scowled like an angry hyena.
‘See! This is the trouble with these oldies. They want all the comforts in the world. Just releasing them is not enough, they demand pension also’ said one prison guard to another and both of them guffawed, the echoes of their voices running up and down the length of the dank prison corridors.
One of them shoved a pair of trousers and a torn shirt into Ramasamy’s hands and ordered ‘Change into those. The chief warden wants to see you in ten minutes.’
Ramasamy collected the clothes feebly and shrank back into his cell as the guards slammed the 3-inch thick iron door which made its customary bang.
‘From today you are a free man. The high court has decided that there is not enough evidence against you, so you can go now,’ the chief warden Muthukumar said with a grimace. Muthu was a huge man with thick forearms and a paunch that would make an elephant jealous. There had been several occasions in these 20 years of his stay in this infamous HSP (as it is commonly abbreviated as in these parts) or the High Security Prison, an exclusive clink for the so called ‘dangerous criminals’, when Muthu’s lashes had given birth to scarlet lines all over Ramasamy’s body.
‘These are your wages for all these years of work. Sign here and try and be a good man outside,’ barked the warden as he thrust a wad of crumpled notes into Ramasamy’s hands.
‘After this age, even if I want to do something bad, my body wont allow it,’ came the reply, sarcastic, though feeble.
‘Ha! I know about you guys. I have been in this post for 20 years now. TWENTY LONG YEARS! And even from the way the mustache of a person is twitching, I can find out if he is lying or not. And I goddamn well know it that you are a liar and that you DID run the lorry over that poor man that night. Anyway, don’t waste my time now. Get out before I let the dogs on you.’
‘See! This is the trouble with these oldies. They want all the comforts in the world. Just releasing them is not enough, they demand pension also’ said one prison guard to another and both of them guffawed, the echoes of their voices running up and down the length of the dank prison corridors.
One of them shoved a pair of trousers and a torn shirt into Ramasamy’s hands and ordered ‘Change into those. The chief warden wants to see you in ten minutes.’
Ramasamy collected the clothes feebly and shrank back into his cell as the guards slammed the 3-inch thick iron door which made its customary bang.
‘From today you are a free man. The high court has decided that there is not enough evidence against you, so you can go now,’ the chief warden Muthukumar said with a grimace. Muthu was a huge man with thick forearms and a paunch that would make an elephant jealous. There had been several occasions in these 20 years of his stay in this infamous HSP (as it is commonly abbreviated as in these parts) or the High Security Prison, an exclusive clink for the so called ‘dangerous criminals’, when Muthu’s lashes had given birth to scarlet lines all over Ramasamy’s body.
‘These are your wages for all these years of work. Sign here and try and be a good man outside,’ barked the warden as he thrust a wad of crumpled notes into Ramasamy’s hands.
‘After this age, even if I want to do something bad, my body wont allow it,’ came the reply, sarcastic, though feeble.
‘Ha! I know about you guys. I have been in this post for 20 years now. TWENTY LONG YEARS! And even from the way the mustache of a person is twitching, I can find out if he is lying or not. And I goddamn well know it that you are a liar and that you DID run the lorry over that poor man that night. Anyway, don’t waste my time now. Get out before I let the dogs on you.’
Ramasamy was one tired man. He lugged along the solitary box which contained his belongings, all the way up to the prison gate, where two guards wearing zebra striped uniforms opened the door. Till this point, the tall walls and the roofs of the prison had shielded him from the sun, but as he stepped out of the prison compound, the harsh rays of the sun blinded him and he had to cover his eyes by covering them with the crook of his left arm. The last he had shaved was a month back and his snow white beard flowed freely like a river. He sat down heavily on the nearby platform, his arm still covering his eyes. That’s when he heard the clicking and whirring noises and slowly removed his hand only to face an army of reporters looking at him with hungry eyes(Yes...Hungry!). Not many bothered when he was arrested, but now, after 18 tortuous years, when he is released, he was national news!
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The Indian Express
2nd April 2003
Chennai
Ramasamy on tête-à-tête with Rammohan on TV?
Stranger things have scarcely happened on TV. Ramasamy, who was recently released from the HSP on account of his innocence in a 1985 murder case, was quoted saying he wanted to have a public chat with the man who put him behind bars, Mr. Rammohan. As public outcry rose to a frenzy over the bad judgment, members of the opposition party today demanded that Rammohan be questioned by the CID in connection with the unfair conviction and that he be brought to the books. There were ungainly scenes in the assembly today, as party members not only lashed at each with their tongues, some even resorted to hurling chairs on the ground, to express their displeasure soundly.
If Ramasamy has his way, which, gauging by the initial reaction of the home ministry-that of a steadfast silence- he will, very soon, we might actually witness him having a tete-a-tete with his tormentor live – on TV!
Chennai
Ramasamy on tête-à-tête with Rammohan on TV?
Stranger things have scarcely happened on TV. Ramasamy, who was recently released from the HSP on account of his innocence in a 1985 murder case, was quoted saying he wanted to have a public chat with the man who put him behind bars, Mr. Rammohan. As public outcry rose to a frenzy over the bad judgment, members of the opposition party today demanded that Rammohan be questioned by the CID in connection with the unfair conviction and that he be brought to the books. There were ungainly scenes in the assembly today, as party members not only lashed at each with their tongues, some even resorted to hurling chairs on the ground, to express their displeasure soundly.
If Ramasamy has his way, which, gauging by the initial reaction of the home ministry-that of a steadfast silence- he will, very soon, we might actually witness him having a tete-a-tete with his tormentor live – on TV!
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Transcript of a conversation between State minister for the entertainment industry Mr. Rangudu and CEO of the foremost television news channel in India, ‘First Sight (FS)’, Mr. RP Singh
RPS: But do you realize how much money the government can make? I have worked with news channels all over the world and this is an event which has never happened in the history of television. We can bring in the multinationals to pour in the cash in advertising their products. It will be a smash hit! And you, can become an overnight millionaire.
Rangudu: You do not understand RPS. Rammohan would never agree to this. What if that crook comes up with uncomfortable questions? And anyway, are you even for a minute suggesting that I should do some underhand deals to gain monetary advantage of this situation?
RPS: (Laughs sheepishly) Of course not Mr. Rangudu! When I was referring to you, I was alluding to the government. It is time that the television channels in this country started doing something out of the ordinary to capture the public’s attention and earn some money. And we would be more then happy to share the profits with you, err, the government I mean.
Rangudu: (Under his breath) Of course you mean the government. I’ll think about it. How much did you say will I, err, the government, stand to earn in this?
RPS: Ten crores. Nothing less! I can rope in the ad agency, ‘Creative services’ the world leader in advertising, to popularise the show so that when it goes on air next month…
Rangudu: Ok Ok! Cut out the specifics. I’ll call you in a couple of days. I need some time to think.
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Transcript of a conversation between State minister for the entertainment industry Mr. Rangudu and CEO of the foremost television news channel in India, ‘First Sight (FS)’, Mr. RP Singh
RPS: But do you realize how much money the government can make? I have worked with news channels all over the world and this is an event which has never happened in the history of television. We can bring in the multinationals to pour in the cash in advertising their products. It will be a smash hit! And you, can become an overnight millionaire.
Rangudu: You do not understand RPS. Rammohan would never agree to this. What if that crook comes up with uncomfortable questions? And anyway, are you even for a minute suggesting that I should do some underhand deals to gain monetary advantage of this situation?
RPS: (Laughs sheepishly) Of course not Mr. Rangudu! When I was referring to you, I was alluding to the government. It is time that the television channels in this country started doing something out of the ordinary to capture the public’s attention and earn some money. And we would be more then happy to share the profits with you, err, the government I mean.
Rangudu: (Under his breath) Of course you mean the government. I’ll think about it. How much did you say will I, err, the government, stand to earn in this?
RPS: Ten crores. Nothing less! I can rope in the ad agency, ‘Creative services’ the world leader in advertising, to popularise the show so that when it goes on air next month…
Rangudu: Ok Ok! Cut out the specifics. I’ll call you in a couple of days. I need some time to think.
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Rangudu’s office, minutes after the previous conversation
‘Hello! RPS? I think the government does indeed stand a chance of making good profit here and you are right, TV channels do have to do different things. Let me know the entire plan and I’ll take care of what it takes to air the show.
….What? Yes, yes! Including talking to Rammohan. I’m sure he will agree. After all, who does not want to be on TV!
…..Of course not. The sun may rise in the west, but Rangudu will never go back on his word!
…..Yes, please carry on with your arrangements.’
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The Indian Express
15th April 2003
Chennai
The leading television news channel in the country, ‘First Sight’, today bagged rights to telecast live the interview between recently released Ramasamy and the man who unjustly put him behind bars for 20 years, Rammohan. Talking to the press after making the landmark decision, the Ministry of State for entertainment, Mr. Rangudu said that ‘This deal is not with a view of earning money, as some people think. If anything, it will give Mr. Rammohan a chance to defend his decision and shut out any misconceptions against his judgment.’ The face-to-face will be aired in a prime time slot on the 15th of May and is said to be the first of its kind in the world. Rumors that the government stands to earn as much as ten crores in this deal, are rife, though Mr. Rangudu staunchly denies that that is the motive behind the show.
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Rangudu: You spoke about five crores. You better make sure that money comes to me on time. Else this show is going off air.
RPS: Sure, but I hope that includes the amount that should go to Rammohan too.
Rangudu: Yes of course. He gets one fifth of that. Greedy bastard wont settle for anything less.
RPS: Ok. I’ll make sure the money is transferred to your account on the 10th of April, no later than that!
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Chennai
‘First Sight’ bags rights for telecasting Ramasamy interview
The leading television news channel in the country, ‘First Sight’, today bagged rights to telecast live the interview between recently released Ramasamy and the man who unjustly put him behind bars for 20 years, Rammohan. Talking to the press after making the landmark decision, the Ministry of State for entertainment, Mr. Rangudu said that ‘This deal is not with a view of earning money, as some people think. If anything, it will give Mr. Rammohan a chance to defend his decision and shut out any misconceptions against his judgment.’ The face-to-face will be aired in a prime time slot on the 15th of May and is said to be the first of its kind in the world. Rumors that the government stands to earn as much as ten crores in this deal, are rife, though Mr. Rangudu staunchly denies that that is the motive behind the show.
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Over heard: A telephonic conversation between Rangudu and RPS
Rangudu: You spoke about five crores. You better make sure that money comes to me on time. Else this show is going off air.
RPS: Sure, but I hope that includes the amount that should go to Rammohan too.
Rangudu: Yes of course. He gets one fifth of that. Greedy bastard wont settle for anything less.
RPS: Ok. I’ll make sure the money is transferred to your account on the 10th of April, no later than that!
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Continued here
1 comment:
Interesting story, Varun! But wonder when the next part would come! :)
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