Veerappan's widow acquitted in all cases in Karnataka

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Slain forest brigand Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi was on Monday set free from a jail here following her acquittal in all the five cases against her in Karnataka. She was, however, arrested by Tamil Nadu police as a case was pending against her in the neighbouring state, Karnataka police said.

Muthulakshmi was taken to Gopichettipalyam in Erode district.

Muthulakshmi was arrested by Karnataka police in November 2008, four years after Veerappan, notorious for attacking policemen, killing elephants and smuggling sandalwood and ivory, was gunned down by Tamil Nadu police in 2004.

Karnataka police had made her an accused in four cases regarding Veerappan's attack on police personnel and stations in Male Mahadeshwara forest ranges between 1991 and 1993. The fifth case related to the killing of a forest official.

She was charged with abetting her husband's crimes. All cases against her were heard by a court in Chamarajanagar, bordering Tamil Nadu.

The court April 20 acquitted her in the last case - killing of six policemen by Veerappan in 1993.

After her arrest, she was lodged in Mysore jail, but shifted to the central prison in Bangalore in November last year as police felt it was much safer for her.