A woman panchayat president caught for stealing a gold chain from a fellow passenger in a bus has told the police that she has been into it for the past 15 years since it is a joy and delight.
The accused, Bharathi (56), a functionary of the ruling DMK and president of Naryampattu panchayat in Tirupattur district, was arrested on Saturday last, by the Koyambedu police in Chennai on a complaint lodged by one Varalakshmi (50), a resident of Nerkundram in the city.
According to police, Varalakshmi had recently attended a wedding reception at Kancheepuram and returned by bus. On reaching her home, she realised that her four-sovereign gold chain had been stolen, prompting her to lodge the complaint.
On investigation, the police found that a woman seated beside Varalakshmi had stolen the gold chain and tracing her, they zeroed in on Bharathi and took her into custody. During interrogation, she had not only admitted to have stolen the gold chain but that she has been into stealing for the last 15 years.
“I have laid my hands in many places, including Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Vellore, and Krishnagiri by diverting the attention of women while travelling by bus. With children too, I had pretended as a good Samaritan and stolen gold articles. Through the sale of the stolen articles, I had built a commercial complex in my native place.
“After becoming the panchayat president, I wanted to give up stealing and relatives too advised me to refrain from this, but I could not even after getting name and fame. Because, I am getting delighted and it gives me joy,” she had said in a statement to the police during interrogation.
“I used to take a vow to give up this practice, but, whenever I get an opportunity, it becomes irresistible. I beg for forgiveness,” she had added in the statement, police said.
The opposition AIADMK and BJP as well as others have latched on to this incident to target the ruling DMK.