REWIND

Here I would like to share some photographs of me taken between the years 1952 and 1976, some from my childhood and some more during my adolescence and my early twenties. These are to revisit my childhood, a temporary escape from the late fifties that I am in!!

PONNANI 1952

This Group Photo was taken in 1952 at our family home in Ponnani, my father’s native place, a small town in the Malappuram District of Kerala.

You can see me snugly sitting in my Mother’s lap in the extreme left on the front row, surrounded by assorted aunts and cousins. I was about 6 to 8 months old when this photo was shot. I am indeed happy to be part of this rare and perhaps the only group photo of all the daughters and daughters-in-law of the Ponnani family!!

MADRAS 1955

This Photo was taken in Madras, in the Year 1955 and I practically grew up with this Photo as it was displayed in one of the rooms of our house for as long as I could remember.



I am sitting in the middle and there is a little story behind this photograph told by my Mother. I look a bit unhappy in this photo, with my toes all twitched because I had done some mischief at home and was berated by my Mom just before we were packed and taken to a nearby studio for this photograph and hence the grumpy look!!!

ALUVA HOME 1961

This Photo was taken at Ponnappa’s Stately Home at Aluva in the Year 1961.



I am standing in the extreme right, next to my grandmother Chithammai. I can decipher the Year to 1961 because of the toy-gun that I am holding, which Ponnappa bought for me at a toyshop in Karaikkal town when we were living in Nagappattinam in 1960-61. I am sure the Year was 1961 and not latter because none of my toys survived for more than 6 months due to my childhood curiosity and skill to dismantle my toys to see what’s inside and how they work but I have never been able to reassemble them!!!

PALANI 1962

I can still recollect our one day trip from Madurai to Palani in the winter of 1962 in Sampath’s (Father’s friend) Austin A40 and returning the same night. Sampath was behind the wheel and father was sitting in the off-side bucket seat in front. Sampath’s wife Padma, my Mother, my brother and me, all of us squeezed in the back seat of Sampath’s car for the 3 + 3 hours return trip to Palani.



From Left: Father, Mother, Padma and Sampath – I am standing in the front row on the right

This photo was clicked in the precincts of the Palani Shri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple atop the Palani hills. I was made to wear a Dhoti meant for adults (several sizes bigger for me) and the excess material were all rolled and bundled around my midriff!!

SALEM 1963

Those were the days when I used to walk around the streets of Salem in my knickers and mostly barefooted so much so that even wearing Hawaii slippers is reserved only for ceremonial occasions such as posing for the photograph below.



I am standing on the right and you will notice that my shirtsleeves are extending beyond my trouser belt!!

PARUR 1968

This was during my summer vacation and I think this Photograph was clicked just a day or two before my Poonal ceremony. You can see me standing in the left.

This was the house to which Ponnappa shifted after vacating his Stately Home in Bank Road, Aluva to which most of my childhood memories are associated. Ponnappa stayed in this house barely for one Year and shifted back to Aluva, to another house very near the Aluva Court to resume his practice.

POONAL 1968

My Poonal Ceremony was conducted by Ponnappa at Parur with lot of fanfare and the function was well attended by all our relatives plus the local guests, Ponnappa’s friends and well-wishers from Parur, Aluva, Kochi etc.



Here I am standing with my father holding the leaves of a shrub, which I presume is part of the religious ceremonies.

ALUVA 1969

This Photo was taken in April/May 1969 in Alwaye, when Ponnappa was staying in a house bang opposite to Alwaye Court and near Zeenat Cinema. The house was owned by a Teashop owner called Aiyppu.

I am standing in the extreme right and the baby that my mother (second from left) is holding is my cousin Ganesh who was 1 Year old at the time. Standing to my right is my aunt Rukmini, mother of Ganesh. fter one Year Ponnappa moved to another house near Tass Hall befoe buying the present house.

BREAKUP SOCIAL 1971

This Photo was taken during the breakup-social of our B.Sc Chemistry batch at Hotel Geetha, Egmore. This should be around Mar or Apr 1971 just before the B.Sc final exams.



You may notice that I was in a state of dazed stupor as I had my first dose of liquor - a full bottle of Kalyani Beer. Around this time prohibition was revoked in Tamil Nadu and liquor shops were opening everywhere in the city. My friend Jagannathan (in the middle) is looking at my condition with concern and Mukundan (left) the Iyangar fanatic that he is, refused to touch the liquor and sitting with an air of disapproval!!

STANDARD-10 1973

The occasion was the Satabhishekam of my Grandfather and Grandmother, (a function to celebrate the senior having sighted 1,000 full-moons in his life – which means the senior should be 83 plus) celebrated in Madras in June 1973.



Here I am, ready to take my father’s car to Madras Central Station, either to drop or to pickup some relatives/guests for the Satabhishekam. The Car is Dad's 1961 Model Standard 10 Pennant and the License Plate Number was MSW 4189. It is in this car that I learned the rudimentary skills of driving, thanks to Perumal, my father's driver who taught me how to cope with Madras traffic conditions, which is standing me in good stead when I cruise at 120KM per hour in my Mercedes in the fast moving 6 lane traffic of Emirates Road in Dubai.

Those days I used to wear my watch on my right-hand!!

TIRUTTANI 1976

This was taken during a marriage in the family, held at Tiruttani in the Year 1976, through the good offices of my father as he had tremendous clout to organize all the logistics required for a marriage at short notice when he was in power.

I am standing second from the right, and this photo was clicked at the most inopportune moment when I was scratching my nose!!

More………….

PONNAPPA'S CASE DIARY 2 KALLA SAAKSHI (കള്ള സാക്ഷി)

CASE DIARY 2 KALLA SAAKSHI (കള്ള സാക്ഷി)

Ponnappa was interviewing a potential Kalla Saakshi, referred by Bhasi in his Office. The man walks into Ponnappa’s Office and settles himself comfortably in one of the visitors’ chairs.

“Cheee ezunnekkado.. thannodu njnaan irikkaan paranjo?” Ponnappa flares up. The gentleman gets off the chair like a flash!!

Enthaado thande paeru?

My name, Mr. Mathew.

“Ppooohh…avanda ammaide oru odukkatha engleeshu, malayalathee parayado pambara viddi..”

Mr. Mathew switches over to his native dialect ‘Swamy,kshemikkanam, adiyande peru Maathachan aane..

Enthaado thande joli?

Cheriya cheriya contraactu panikalaana

Cheee niruthado.. satyam paranjillankil ninde kathankuttikku njnaan rendannam pottikkum!!

Swamy kshemikkanam.. cheriya cheriya moshanangalaanu ende joli.

Ponnappa instinctively locks his gold capped Parker pen in his desk drawer.

Thaan enthokka moshtikkum?

Aalillaatha Parambii kayari Naalikeram, Kappa, Pacha kari ithokka moshtikkum. Nalla oru avasaram kittiyaa aalillatha veettik kayari kayyii kittunna enthum njnaan moshtikkum.

Thaan naalikeram moshtikkumo? Athu enganayado?

Swamy, njnaan thengil kayariyaanu naalikeram moshtikkunnathu.

Ponnappa’s eyebrows lift in a frown “Appo, thanikku thengu keyaraan ariyaam alle?”

“Oova, thengu keyattam ende thozilalle Swamy!!”

Suddenly an idea flashes in Ponnappa’s alert mind to break the Prosecution's “Haajiyaarude moonamatha Bharya Vatha Case” (The murder of Haji Mohamed Koya’s third wife).

‘Irikkado’ Ponnappa commands his Kalla saakshi with a trace of indulgence in his voice.

“Vendaa Swamy, adiyan ninnolaave..” Maathachan respectfully declines Ponnappa’s invitation to sit.

‘Thaan irikkado..’ Ponnappa insists and calls Bhasi inside. ‘Bhaskara, thaan vanne, namukku Thomaachante Mozi vakkalkathil rekappatuthaam..”

Bhaskaran walks in. There was an air of diffidence about him. Ponnappa notices this and asks “Bhaskara, thanikku oorjam theere llallo. Enthaa kariyam?”

Bhaskaran expresses his misgivings. “Yenikkentho.. ee case atthara nishprayaasam vijayikkaan pattumennu thonunnilla. Njaan kandatholam ee casil chela sakthamaaya kadambakalundu.”

“Kadambakalo..? athinenthaa..? kadambakalokka mari kadakkaanum, pradhisanthikalokka athijeevikkaanumalle njnaan ivide abhibhaashakante veshavum katti natakkunathu?” Ponnappa allays Bhaskaran’s fears and closes the chapter!!

Case No: 7/62 - State of Kerala vs. Haji Mohamed Koya (Haajiyaarude moonamatha Bharya Vatha Case) was being heard in Hall No:1of Aluva First Class Judicial Magistrate Court.

On the Bench: Poonkunnathu Veettil Vasudeva Kaimal, First Judicial Magistrate

Prosecution Counsel: Mr. Oomen Chandy a.k.a Chandy kunju

Defense Counsel: Mr. T.R. Ramakrishna Iyer a.k.a Ponnappa

Accused: Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohammed Koya a.k.a Haajiyaar

Ponnappa was examining his star witness Mathew a.k.a Mathachan.

P: Ningalde Paeru?

M: Swamy, adiyan Maathan aane..

P: Maathachannu vechaal..?

M: Mulankunnathukkaavu Pallimukku Veettil Mathachan….

P: Enthaanu ningalde joli.

M: Moshanam.. thattippu, pidichupari ethokkayaanu ende joli

There was uproar in the Court as everyone (including the Public Prosecutor) burst out laughing.

“Oodarr..oodarr..” Justice Vasudeva Kaimal bangs his gavel on the table and the court becomes silent.

Sambhava dhivasam ningal Haajiyarinte Prambil kayariyathu enthukontaanu?

Thengil kayari thenga moshtikkaan…

There was uproar in the Court again and Justice Kaimal bangs his gavel on the table once again saying “Oodarr..oodarr..”

Ennuttu ningal thenkil kayari thenga moshticho?

Thengil kayari, pakshe thenga moshtichillaa..

Enthukontu?

Thenkil kayariya njnaan, Manaseeka sangharshathinu vidheyanayathukontu thengaa moshtichilla..

Thenga moshtikkaan thengil kayaria ningalkku enganayaanu manaseeka sangharsham undaayathu? Onnu visatheekarikkaamo?

Thengin mukalilninnu thazottu nokkiyappo njnaan oru kolapaathakathinte dhirrsaakshiyaakenti vannu... athukontaanu njnaan manaseeka sangharshathinu vidheyanaayathu..

There was an audible gasp from everyone in the court but Justice Kaimal did not bother with his gavel routine this time!!

Thengin mukalilninnu ningal enthaanu kantathu? Onnu visatheekarikkamo?

Oru kallan, pichaathi kaanichu Haajiyarinte moonamatha bharyaye beeshanyappatuthi avarute kazuthilulla aaparanam moshtikkaan shremikkunnathum, Haajiyarinte bharya athu thatayukaiyum kantu. Appol sambavicha yaettumuttalil kallan pichaathi kontu Haajiyarinte moonamatha bharyaye kuthi kolapatuthi aaparanamum kattontu odi rakshappatunnathum njnaan kantu…

There was total commotion in the Court and Justice Kaimal warned that if Oodar is not restored, he will be forced to evict the spectators from the Court, upon which Oodar was restored!!

Kolapaathakiye ningal kandaayirunno? Aarana athunnu parayaam pattuvo?

Kolapaathakiye njnaan kandu. Pakshe aarana Kolapaathakiyennu parayaam vaiyyaa..

Kaaranam?

Kaaranam kolapaathaki oru aparijithanaayathukontu.. ee pradesathu ithinu mumbu njnaan ayyaale kantutiilla. Pakshe ayyaaley neril kantaal enikku thirichariyaam..

“Objection Your Honor” public prosecutor Oomen Chandy was on his feet. “Postmortem Report prakaaram Kolapaathakam nadannathu rathiri 11 manikkaanu. Sambava dhivasam vaithithi illayirunnu.. vaithithi illatha karanathaal Aluva town muzuvanum iruttu moodik kidannu.. ee oru sagajariyathil, prathibakam sakshikku engane kolapathakiye vyakthamaayittu kanaan patti? Saakshi mozi, prathibakam vakeelinte kattukathaiyaayathinaal begumanappata kodathi sakshi moziye nila nilkaatha nunayaanennu thiraskarikkanam”. Chandi kunju made his point.

The Judge looked at Ponnappa quizzically.

Ponnappa was unperturbed. Your Honor, ente maanya suharthum Sarkarbakam vakeelumaya Chandy Kunju unnayichirikkunathu valare prasakthiyulla oru chodhiyamaanu. Addhekathinu ente abhinandanangal. Sambavadhivasam Aluva nagaram muzuvanum vaithithi illayirunnuvennu addhekam paranjathu sathyamaanu.

Public Prosecutor exchanged a smug grin with the Police Inspector.

Pakshe, Aluva town muzuvanum iruttu moodik kedannu ennu adhekam parayunnathotu enikku yojippilla.. karanam sambhava dhivasam August 27nu Velutha Vaavayirunnu.. aayathinaal, vaithithi illankil polum saakshikku aa rathri nadanna sambavangale vyathathaiyotu kaanaan kaziyukaiyundaayirunnu. Ente maanya suharthu Chandy Kunju Mathrubhumi Calendar onnu nokkiyirunnaal annu Velutha Vaavaanannulla kariyam ariyaamaayirunnu.

There was pandemonium in the Court and Justice Kaimal adjourned the proceedings to the following week for the final summation:

Ponnappa’s final summation to the Court:

“Prosecutionde visthaaravum, Prathibhaga Visthaaravum, Saakshi Visthaaravum kazinju anthima ghattathil ethittulla ee casil enikku eduthu parayenta chila karyangaluntu.

Onnaamathu, ente Katshi Makkathu Manzil Siraajudeen Koyayude Makan Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohamed Koya enna Haajiyaar kuttavaaliyaanennu sthitheekarikkunnathil Prosecution Parajiyappattirikkunnu. Ente maanya suharthu, sarkaar bhagam vakil Chandy kunju katti chamacha aaropanankalokka verum ookaa bhokankalaathu nilanilkkunna satyangalalla. prosecutionde aaropanathil ottum kazhambilla.

Rendaamathu, ee casil Poleesu kaanicha anaasthaiyum pidippukedum valare kethakaramaanu. Haajiyarude moonamatha bhayaikku vere oru cheruppakkaranumaai avihitha bhandam undaayirunnennum, haajiyaar thande moonamatha bharyaye avarute kamukanotu olichotippokumpol kantathanaal untaya manaseeka avasthayil, haajiyar avare (third wife) niyantaranam nashtappattu kolapatuthiyennum parayunna Police aropanam thikachum oru Kaabhattiyamanu. Kola krithyathinde dhirsaakshi Thomaachan moziyilinnu kolapaathaki oru aparijithanaanennum, Haajiyarute Moonamathe Bharyayute Aapranam thattiedukkanulla chramathil nadanna yaettumuttalil ayyaal hajiyaarinte bharyaye kolapatuthi ennulla sathyam vyakthammayirikkunnu.

Thaan jeevanu thulyam snehikkunna thande moonamatha Bharyaye maricha nilayil kanda ente katshi Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohamed Koya enna Haajiyar valare dhukkithanaaittulla oru manaseeka avasthayilaanu police stationil paraathi nalkaan poyathu. Paraathii nalkaan poya ente katshiye poleesukar prathiyaaki arrestu cheithu, custodyil eduthu krooramaai marthichu. Daiva viswaasiyum, samookya pravarthakanum, Naattu Pramaaniyum, Prakalpanumaaya ente katshi police marthanthium peetanathinum vidheyanaayi, innu ezunnechu natakkaan polum pattatha avasthayil wheelchair aasrayikkenta sthithiyilaanu ethiyirikkunathu.

Haajiyaar, sitting in his wheelchair (borrowed for the day from a local clinic) in the stand for the accused dabs his eyes with his hanky.

Haajiyaarum addhegatthinde 4 bhaaryamaarum, orey veettil snehavum sougrithavum pangu vechu oru santhushta kutumbamaayittu kazinjirinnavaraa.

As Justice Vasudeva Kaimal grimaced at Ponnappa’s reference to “Santhushta kutumbam,” Ponnappa gave him a conspiratorial wink!!

“Haajiyaarute moonaamatha bharyayute kolapaathakathinu sesham aa santhushta kutumbam innu vallaatha oru manaseega sangharshathil parithavikkukayaanu. Aa kutumpathinde maanaseekavasthakku parikatana nalki, vasthuthai illatha prosecutionte aaropanathe thiraskarichu ente katshi Makkathu Manzil Siraajudeen Koyayude Makan Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohamed Koya enna Haajiyaare nirvaathikam vittayakkanamennu behumaanappatta kodathiyotu njnaan vineethamaayittu abhyarthikkunnu”. That’s all Your Honor!!

Hajiyaar was acquitted as innocent, without a stain on his character. Hajiyaar did not want to press charges against Maathachan (understandably) for trying to steal coconuts from his farm. Justice Vasudeva Kaimal acceded to Hajiyaar’s request and let off Maathachan with a suspended sentence of 3 months and a stern warning to mend his ways. Justice Kaimal reprimanded the Police for the wrongful arrest of Haajiyaar and instructed them to investigate the case more efficiently and arrest the real culprit!!

NB: While I have no idea about the princely sum that Haajiyaar would have paid Ponnappa as fees for winning this case, what I do know and still remember is the gift hamper of several baskets of goodies delivered from Haajiyaar’s estates consisting of Kasuvandi Paruppu (Cashew nuts), Pazutha Maanga (ripe mangos), Kaitha Chakka (Pineapple), Kappalangaai (Papayas), Yaethap paza kola (Bananas), munthiringaa (grapes), Kozikkodan Aluwa (Kozikode special Halwa), Sarkarai undaa (Jaggery balls) and eethap pazam (dates) among others as I went on a rampage for the next few days enjoying all these goodies.!!

Translation:

Ponnappa was interviewing a potential Kalla Saakshi, referred by Bhasi in his Office. The man walks into Ponnappa’s Office and settles himself comfortably in one of the visitors’ chairs.

“Get off the chair you scamp.. Did I ask you to sit?” Ponnappa flares up. The gentleman gets off the chair like a flash!!

Hey.. your name?

My name, Mr. Mathew.

“Ppooohh…don’t you dare talk to me in your stupid English you illiterate fool. Speak in Malayalam..”

Mr. Mathew switches over to his native dialect “Forgive me sir .. Maathachan is my name..”

What’s your job?

Smalltime contract jobs..

Shutup you fool.. I will slap you if you don’t tell me the truth!!

Sorry sir.. I am a petty thief.

Ponnappa instinctively locks his gold capped Parker pen in his desk drawer.

What all you will steal?

I stealthily enter into unmanned farms and steal vegetables, tapioca, coconuts etc. If I get a good opportunity I break into a house and steal anything that I can lay my hands on..

You steal coconuts? How do you do it?

Sir, I climb the coconut tree and steal coconuts.

Ponnappa’s eyebrows lift in a frown “So, you know how to climb a coconut tree?”

“Yes sir. Climbing coconut trees is my profession!!”

Suddenly an idea flashes in Ponnappa’s alert mind to break the Prosecution's “The Case of Haji Mohamed Koya’s third wife’s Murder”.

‘Sit-down’ Ponnappa commands his Kalla saakshi with a trace of indulgence in his voice.

“No sir, I will stand..” Maathachan respectfully declines Ponnappa’s invitation to sit.

‘You sit man..’ Ponnappa insists and calls Bhasi inside. ‘Bhaskara, come, we have to record Mathew’s statement in the vakkalath..”

Bhaskaran walks in. There was an air of diffidence about him. Ponnappa notices this and asks “Bhaskara, you look diffident. What’s the matter?”

Bhaskaran expresses his misgivings. “Somehow, I feel that winning this case will not be a cakewalk. From what I have seen, here are certain major challenges in this case.”

“Challenges..? So what? I am here as a lawyer to face the challenges and overcome whatever be the crisis.” Ponnappa allays Bhaskaran’s fears and closes the chapter!!

Case No: 7/62 - State of Kerala vs. Haji Mohamed Koya (Haajiyaarude moonamatha Bharya Vatha Case) was being heard in Hall No:1of Aluva First Class Judicial Magistrate Court.

On the Bench: Poonkunnathu Veettil Vasudeva Kaimal, First Judicial Magistrate

Prosecution Counsel: Mr. Oomen Chandy a.k.a Chandy kunju

Defense Counsel: Mr. T.R. Ramakrishna Iyer a.k.a Ponnappa

Accused: Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohammed Koya a.k.a Haajiyaar

Ponnappa was examining his star witness Mathew a.k.a Mathachan.

P: What is your name?

M: Sir, I am Maathachan

P: Maathachan who..?

M: Mulankunnathukkaavu Pallimukku Veettil Mathachan….

P: What is your job?.

M: Petty thievery, mugging, cheating .. these are my jobs.

There was uproar in the Court as everyone (including the Public Prosecutor) burst out laughing.

“Oodarr..oodarr..” Justice Vasudeva Kaimal bangs his gavel on the table and the court becomes silent.

P: Why did you enter Haajiyar’s farm on the day of the incident??

M: To climb the coconut tree and steal coconuts.

There was uproar in the Court again and Justice Kaimal bangs his gavel on the table once again saying “Oodarr..oodarr..”

P: Then, did you climb the coconut tree and stole coconuts?

M: I did climb the coconut tree but did not steal coconuts..

P: Why?

M: After climbing the coconut tree I was subjected to considerable mental agony.

P: Can you explain what caused you the mental agony after you ascended the coconut tree?

M: Unwittingly I became an eyewitness to a brutal murder which caused the mental agony.

There was an audible gasp from everyone in the court but Justice Kaimal did not bother with his gavel routine this time!!

P: What did you see from the top of the coconut tree? Can you explain??

M: I saw a thief wielding a knife and threatening Haajiyaar’s third wife to steal her jewels and Haajiyaar’s third wife resisting his attempt to steal. In the skirmish that followed, the thief knifed and killed her stole her jewels and escaped.

There was total commotion in the Court and Justice Kaimal warned that if Oodar is not restored, he will be forced to evict the spectators from the Court, upon which Oodar was restored!!

P: Did you see the murderer? Can you say who he is?

M: I saw the murderer. But I cannot say who he is. He is a stranger. I have not seen him in this area before. However, if I see him I can identify him.

“Objection Your Honor” public prosecutor Oomen Chandy was on his feet. “As per the postmortem report, the time of death was 11:00 P.M in the night. There was no electricity supply on that night. As there was no electricity, the entire Aluva town was engulfed in darkness. Under these circumstances, how was it possible for the defense witness to see the murderer clearly? The Honorable Court should reject the statement of the witness as a false story concocted by the defense lawyer.” Oomen Chandi made his point.

The Judge looked at Ponnappa quizzically.

Ponnappa was unperturbed. “Your Honor, I admit that my learned friend Mr. Oomen Chandy has raised a very valid question. I record my appreciation to him. It is true that there was no electricity supply in Aluva town on the day of the incident.”

Public Prosecutor Oomen Chandy exchanged a triumphant and smug grin with the Circle Inspector of Police.

“But I don’t agree with his statement that the entire Aluva town was engulfed in darkness. Because, we all know that 27^th August, the day of the incident, was a full moon night. So, my witness could clearly see the incident that night, although there was no electricity. If only my learned friend Oomen Chandy had referred to the Mathrubhumi Calendar, he would have come to know that it was a full moon night.

There was total pandemonium in the Court and Justice Kaimal adjourned the proceedings to the following week for the final summation:

Ponnappa’s final summation to the Court:

“This Case has reached its final stage after debriefing by Prosecution, Defense and examination and cross-examination of the witnesses and at this juncture I want to emphasize certain important issues.

Firstly, Prosecution has summarily failed in establishing that my client Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohamed Koya, son of Makkathu Manzil Siraajudeen Koya, is guilty of the murder charge against him. All the accusations against my client put forth by my learned friend Mr. Oomen Chandy were mere assumptions and conjectures without any substance in them.

Secondly, the total indifference and incompetence with which the Police have handled this case is regrettable. The Police accusation that Haajiyar’s third wife had a clandestine relationship with another person and Hajiyar lost his temper and killed his third wife when he caught her trying to elope with her paramour is totally malicious and baseless. It has been clearly established from the statement of the eye witness to the murder, Mr. Mathew that the murderer is a total stranger, and he killed Haajiyar’s third wife in the skirmish that ensued when the stranger tried to rob her jewels.

My client Mr. Haji Mohammed Koya went to the Police Station to lodge a complaint, in a state of total mental depression, after seeing his third wife, for whom his love was insurmountable, murdered and dead. Although my client went to the Police station to lodge a complaint, the Police unfairly arrested him as the accused, and brutally tortured him. My God fearing client, who is also a Social activist and leading citizen became a victim of Police brutality and as a result today he is not even able to stand up and walk and has to depend on a wheelchair for his movements.

Haajiyaar, sitting in his wheelchair (borrowed for the day from a local clinic) in the stand for the accused dabs his eyes with his hanky.

Haajiyaar and his 4 wives lived under the same roof, sharing love and affection as a happy and contented family.

As Justice Vasudeva Kaimal grimaced at Ponnappa’s reference to “Haajiyar’s contented family of 4 wives” Ponnappa gave him a conspiratorial wink!!

“Today, after the brutal murder of Haajiyar’s third wife, his contented family is suffering in a state of acute mental depression. I request the Honorable Court to give due consideration to the mental depression of his family, reject the baseless allegations made by the Prosecution and acquit my client Makkathu Manzil Haji Mohammed Koya as innocent. That’s all Your Honor!!”

Hajiyaar was acquitted as innocent, without a stain on his character. Hajiyaar did not want to press charges against Maathachan (understandably) for trying to steal coconuts from his farm. Justice Vasudeva Kaimal acceded to Hajiyaar’s request and let off Maathachan with a suspended sentence of 3 months and a stern warning to mend his ways. Justice Kaimal reprimanded the Police for the wrongful arrest of Haajiyaar and instructed them to investigate the case more efficiently and arrest the real culprit!!

NB: While I have no idea about the princely sum that Haajiyaar would have paid Ponnappa as fees for winning this case, what I do know and still remember is the gift hamper of several baskets of goodies delivered from Haajiyaar’s estates consisting of Cashew nuts, Mangos, Pineapple, Papayas, Bananas, Grapes, Kozikode special Halwa, Jaggery balls and Dates among others as I went on a rampage for the next few days enjoying all these goodies.!!

Kannan