Karnataka - Mysore   

My purpose in politics is served: Parimala Nagappa

Shankar Bennur

`I am confident of getting justice from the CBI probe'

Parimala Nagappa

MYSORE: "The purpose of entering politics has been served. The long-standing request of my family and the people who knew my husband has been considered. I now see a ray of hope," said Parimala Nagappa, MLA from Hanur and widow of the former minister H. Nagappa, on the State Government's decision to conduct a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into his murder.

Brigand Veerappan kidnapped the former minister from his farmhouse at Kamagere village near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border on August 25, 2002. After four months in captivity, Nagappa was found dead in Chengady forests on December 8, 2002. The post-mortem reports and investigations from ballistic experts revealed that Nagappa died of bullet wounds. A bullet fired from an AK-47 killed the former minister, according to the investigations.

Speaking to The Hindu , Ms. Nagappa, who is the Janata Dal (Secular) MLA, said, "I never aspired to join politics, but circumstances forced me to plunge into active politics to fight for justice that was denied to me."

While thanking the coalition government for its gesture, the MLA from Hanur, which was earlier represented by her husband, said despite the R.G. Vaidyanathan Commission of Inquiry, set by the S.M. Krishna Government to probe Nagappa's killing, completed its inquiry, the mystery behind my husband's death had not been cracked. "The commission brought out how Veerappan kidnapped my husband and the security lapse that led to his abduction," she said.

The non-Congress parties, including the JD (S) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing since the investigations involved two States - Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. But the then S.M. Krishna Government turned down the request and set up the inquiry commission.

When their pleas for CBI probe were not considered, the family members of the slain JD(U) leader moved the Karnataka High Court. "What prevented the S.M. Krishna Government to order CBI inquiry instead of a judicial probe when the entire State wanted it," she asked.

Expressing displeasure over the reported comment of the Congress on the CBI probe, she said: "Instead of giving political colour, they (the Congress leaders) must express gratitude to the Government for taking the decision which I expected from the S.M. Krishna Government." "In fact, I restrained from pursuing my request for a CBI probe after the Vaidyanathan Commission began inquiry since I was awaiting inputs from the commission. Even before I moved further into the case, the Government decided for a CBI probe," she said.

Ms. Nagappa said she was confident that the CBI would solve the four-year mystery behind her husband's death. "I was confident that one day or the other the truth would come out. I am optimistic. I will wait with strong faith. I and my family members, who underwent a lot of trauma after the shocking death, will get justice," she said.

In fact, the tapes sent by Veerappan after Nagappa's death accused the special task forces of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu of killing the soft-spoken former minister. But the then governments in the two states accused the brigand of killing Nagappa.

Kamagere, the native village of Nagappa, witnessed violent protests following his death. Top political leaders, were barred from entering the village for the funeral.

Prakash for Delhi

Sources said Home Minister M.P. Prakash met Ms. Nagappa and discussed the issue with her. Mr. Prakash would be leaving for New Delhi to pursue the decision on CBI inquiry and to prevail upon the authorities there to appoint an efficient officer to probe the case, which made national headlines.

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