Daijiworld Media Network -  Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 25: Vijayalakshmi Amma, wife of late Balakrishna Rao from Koyilandy in Kozhikode has been hoping to get justice for the last four decades from the Kerala police and the state government. It is concerning the income she is entitled to receive as the widow of Balakrishna Rao who was also the recipient of the Gallantry award. Since the Kerala high court is delaying the process of bringing Vijayalakshmi to justice, she reached out to the president of Human Rights Protection Foundation, Ravindranath Shanbagh. 

Shanbagh was speaking in a press meet at Vaikunta Baliga College, here on Monday, January 25. "The late Balakrishna Rao was awarded the Gallantry award by President of India in 1961 for saving the life of a man named Mohammed. During the same time, he successfully apprehended a wanted dacoit. He served for 30 years in the Kasargod police department and retired in 1981. From 1961-1975 he was receiving Rs 25 as a cash award every month. The amount was raised to a hundred in 1988. Once Vijayalakshmi started to reside in Suratkal, Mangaluru, she had to travel Koyilandy to get that allowance. Given the commute, she requested the concerned authorities to credit the amount directly into her bank account, but the Kerala government refused to comply. Following which, she went to Koyilandy once in six months to collect the money. This continued for 18 years. However, her illness did not permit her to travel to Koyilandy for the next two years. Meanwhile, the award money increased to Rs 6,000 per month and the total accumulated amount now is Rs 7-8 lac."

"What I have been fighting at Kerala High court, is not for the sake of money, but to honour my husband. I deserve to receive all the money I am entitled to before I breathe my last. I have been in search of justice for the past 40 years," Vijayalakshmi said.

Speaking on the matter, Beena, Vijayalakshmi's daughter said, "My father rendered honest service in the police department. We are not in this for money. The Kerala police department has denied my mother's requests constantly. Our legal expenses have exceeded more than Rs 2 lac and yet we long for justice. We do not know which department will help us, we are clueless. All I ask is justice for the service my father gave."

"Balakrishna’s family had come seeking help and I promise to bring them to justice. I will not give up on this and I will make sure they even receive the interest amount along with the primary amount. For the battle that Vijayalakshmi fought for over 40 years, she should get justice," Ravindranath Shanbagh said.