CHENNAI: Rajiv Kumar (32) alias Nanda from Periyapalayam was an accused in several cases in Avadi, Perambur and Arakkonam areas, he was arrested by Railway police a few months ago. He was wanted in robbery and chain snatching cases. When the Police asked why he did not give up his ways, despite having been arrested earlier, Rajiv Kumar replied that both his children are suffering from health ailments. Hi daughter Sandhya suffers from a heart disease and his son Jayasurya (7) was suffering from kidney problem and that’s why he took to petty crimes to provide for their medical needs. For Rajiv, who got married to Devi in 2004, things were fine until his children started to fall ill. Rajiv started to neglect and became an alcoholic as he was unable to cope up with life. He began to steal. According to Rajiv, “Initially, I used to steal from drunk persons in the railway station. I took away their belongings and food. Gradually, I targeted women who were travelling alone in the trains”. Police recovered 30 sovereigns worth gold chains from him. Sub-Inspector K Sundararajan said, “Rajiv sold some and pawned the rest, He had kept the bills for it. So, we recovered it from various shops and returned to the owners”. On coming to know Rajiv’s repeated crime history in the crime records, Railway Superintendent of Police Vijayakuamar decided to learn more about him. After hearing about his children, Vijayakumar, also a paediatrician who has worked at the Egmore Children’s hospital earlier, contacted his friends who examined Sandhya. Now, Sandhya had been going for regular check-ups and taking medication while the younger son Jayasurya is also being treated. Rajiv is a reformed man now who sells flowers and samosas on the train along with his wife Devi for a living. He wants to fulfil his dream of purchasing his own autorickshaw and provide for his family after his child gets well. Thanks to the Railway Police, “My wife has all the relevant identity proofs, which I can use to obtain loan from bank” says Rajiv.]]>
