History project

Script

In a remote Tamil Nadu village lived the oppressed Irula tribes
of the Tirumala Forest. The villagers used them to get rid of rats
and snakes from the farmlands and houses. Once there lived a
rich man in that village. One day, his wife, whose name was
Selviamma, was attacked by a snake while wearing her jewelry.
So Puniappa called Rajakannu, an Irulan tribal man to get rid of
the snake. The next day her jewelry goes missing and they lodge
a complaint with the police.

Scene 1

Puniappa – My wife’s jewelry was stolen. I would like to lodge a
complaint.

Selviamma - I think that mostly Rajakannu stole the jewelry. He
is the last person to enter the house.

SI- We will surely find the culprits soon sir.

Scene 2

SI enters Rajakannu’s house.

Senthali- what is it sir why have you come at this time of the
day?

SI- where is your husband Rajakannu? Where is he hiding in
shame? Where have you hidden the jewels?

Senthali- what are you talking about, sir?

SI- you will accept the truth after experiencing police
treatment.

They take Irutappa, Rajakannu’s brother-in-law, Panchaimma,
Rajakannu’s sister, Maniyan, and Senthali, Rajakannu’s wife,
into custody. They tortured the accused to get information on
the whereabouts of Rajakannu.

The accused are in jail. Senthali is taken for interrogation.

H C - (while hitting Senthali) Where is Rajakannu?

Senthali - (cries) I do not know.

H C - (while still hitting her) Where is your husband?

Senthali – He has gone to the city.

H C - (turning to Panchaimma) Where is your brother hiding in
shame?

Panchaimma – I do not know where he is. (In a low, scared
tone, after a pause) Please let us go.

Scene 3

Rajakannu comes to the village late to meet his wife and
daughter. On his way to his house, Puniappa’s s people catch
hold of him and bring him before the police. Rajakannu is now
in custody. The HC and C are forcing him to confess to the crime.
Panchaimma and Senthali are released from custody

(HC & C hit Rajakannu)
C – You stole the jewels, didn’t you?
Rajakannu – (gasping) I did not do anything.
C – Admit your mistake

Rajakannu-I did not steal anything. Please leave us alone.
HC- (kicks him in the chest) Aren’t you ashamed of lying
Rajakannu – Ahhh! (dies)

HC – Oh no what have we done?
C- (check the heartbeat of Rajakannu and declares him dead)

Scene 4

HC-(takes the phone and calls the SI) Sir… Rajakannu is dead.
What shall we do?

SI-(replying) Oh no… what have you done. Just put his corpse in
the jeep and take the other two along with him to the check
post near the Pondicherry border.

HC- Ok sir.

The SI along with HC and C is back to the police station and
creates false evidence of their escape from their police station.

Gaining knowledge of the escape of the Irulans, Mitra files a
Habeus Corpus petition with the help of Chandru in the name of
Senthali.

Scene 5

Chandru finds some clues during the investigation and brings
the in front of the court.

Chandru – Your honor, they have arrested Rajakannu and the
others without a warrant.

Opposition – But your honor the accused have fled to Kerala.

Chandru – Where is the proof?

Opposition – Here is the proof. (Plays the recording of a call
between Irutappa and his employer)

(In the call)

Owner – Where are you?

Irutappa – We have escaped to Kerala. We shall be here till the
case dies down.

Owner - Ok be careful

Chandru – I would like some time to investigate your honor.

Judge – The court grants the defense 1 month time. The court is
adjourned.

Scene 6
Chandru- I would like to talk to Gurudar your honor

Judge- You may proceed.
SI- Yes, what do you want to know from me?
Chandru- Did you mimic Irutappa?
SI- No I did not.

Chandru-honorable SI, you took an oath in front of everyone
which states that you speak the truth. We would like to hear
the truth from you.
SI- (sweating and stammering) Yes, I mimicked Irutappa
Judge- Aren’t you ashamed of yourself, to do this being a cop?

SI- Sorry your honor.
Chandru- Your honor, I would like to talk to HC.
Judge- You may proceed
(HC is called to the dice)

Chandru- According to your opinion, you called SI around 9:10
isn’t it? But your honor there was no outgoing call after 9 from
the office to anyone according to the call record. How is this
possible, your honor?

HC- I am sorry sir. I would like to seek forgiveness for my
mistake

Chandru-You may leave

(HC leaves)

Chandru- Your honor this is my humble request and opinion to
please hand over this case to the CBI.

Opposition- I object your honor. It’s a simple habeas corpus
case, how can it be handed over to the CBI?

Judge-(thinks) the case will be handed over to the CBI. Whom
would you like to hand it over to, Mr. Chandru

(Chandru writes his opinion on a piece of paper and hands it
over. It suggests IG Perumalaswamy to take over the case.)

Scene 7

IG presents a final report to the judge.

IG-your honor I have completed my investigation. According to
the investigation, Rajakannu was found dead near the far
boundaries of our state and Pondicherry. According to the
forensic department, his rib bones were found broken.

Chandru- Thank you, sir, your honor, I would like to please call
the forensic officer.

Judge- you may proceed.

Forensic officer- according to my investigations, Rajakannu’s
ribs were broken either because Rajakannu was hit near the
ribs with high force by a rod or someone kicked him
continuously or he was hit by a fast-moving vehicle, your honor.

Chandru- Thank you, sir, Your honor, I would like to once again
call the IG for the interrogation.

IG- your honor, according to the fingerprints found in
Puniappa’s s house one was of Rajakannu and the other was of
the village jeweler.

Chandru-your honor, with your permission I would like to
question the jeweler

Judge- permission granted

Jeweler- I have no idea about this, your honor. I had come to
their house last week to collect the jewels for the polish
The jeweler goes back and the IG is called again.
IG- your honor, Irutappa, and Muniyanna were found in the jail
near the borders of the state. According to the police report,
they fled to Kerala, but how are they found here now? This is
my report, your honor. Thank you
Chandru- you may leave
Chandru- your honor, We have presented you with all the
evidence and proofs here forth. I would like to seek the most
equitable verdict.
Judge- the decision will be given soon.

Scene 8
Judge- the court delivers the verdict that SI Gurudar, head
constable Veeraswamy and constable Kirubandan are to be
punished with life imprisonment along with the village jeweler.
Irutappa, Panchaimma, and Muniyanna shall get compensation
of two lakhs. Senthali shall get compensation of three lakhs.
The case is closed. The court is, therefore, adjourned

Chandru, Senthali, Panchaimma, Muniyanna, and Mytra are
happy with the justice given by the court.