Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Organisational Secretary RS Bharathi has made a startling revelation, claiming that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was kept out of prison due to the intervention of late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, popularly known as Kalaignar.
Speaking about the matter, RS Bharathi recalled an incident from the early 1980s, when Prabhakaran faced arrest following a gunfight between his group and another faction. “Before 1983, Prabhakaran came to Chennai. A gunfight broke out between his team and another, leading to Prabhakaran’s arrest, and he was brought to Saidapet Court,” said Bharathi.
Highlighting Kalaignar’s involvement, Bharathi stated, “No one supported Prabhakaran then, and he couldn’t get bail. I was the Secretary of the Saidapet Lawyers Bar since 1978. Kalaignar called me over the phone and said that Prabhakaran, belonging to LTTE, is being brought for remand and that I’ll have to get bail somehow.”
Bharathi explained how he managed to secure bail for the LTTE leader. “I replied that I would file a bail petition, but a local person would have to provide surety. Kalaignar said, ‘Do whatever, but Prabhakaran should not go to jail.’ At that time, Tamil Nadu was ruled by MG Ramachandran (MGR). Don’t forget, it was DMK’s RS Bharathi who appeared for Prabhakaran when he was brought to court. After arguing in court, I secured his release on own bail, and the next day, he escaped.”
The DMK leader criticised Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman for frequently invoking Prabhakaran’s name. “You are cheating people by using his name and editing his picture. Do you even know Prabhakaran?” he questioned Seeman, accusing him of exploiting the LTTE leader’s legacy for political gains.