Cop takes up guardianship of slain woman’s son

Balamurugan, Assistant Commissioner of Ayanvaram Range in Greater Chennai Police, has been flooded with calls of appreciation as well as various offers of help from higher officials for the past two days, after he took the decision. Thirteen-year-old Karthik’s mother Parimala, 31, was murdered by a juvenile over a petty quarrel. Subsequently, the Secretariat Colony police sent the juvenile to an observation home. 

“We come across numerous incidents on a daily basis, but Karthik’s case really moved me. His father Govindarajan died years ago and now, he is already staying at a shelter home. Even his mother is no more. There was none to receive her body either. That’s when I decided to sign up as his personal guardian at the home and do whatever is necessary to assist him,” said an emotional Balamurugan, under whose jurisdiction, the incident had occurred. “Making citizens responsible is a cop’s job and in this particular case, I did what I felt was right,” he added.

Though Karthik would have read in the newspaper about his mother’s death, Balamurugan has only told the boy that his mother passed away and that he would take care of him like a son hereafter.

 The Assistant Commissioner took Karthik to his house two days ago and the family had dinner together. “After Karthik left, my son Vishal (Class 8 student) told my daughter Jeevasri (Class 2 student) that she now has two brothers. My daughter even asked my wife Kalarani if I would admit Karthik in their school. My wife’s sister called from her hometown and asked us to bring Karthik over to their place when we pay them a visit next time. The entire family has accepted Karthik as one of our own,” said Balamurugan. “Adopting someone officially is a long legal procedure. Until then, I’m going to be his personal guardian,” he added.