Veerappan aide dies in Central prison

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Once Veerappan's close aide, Meese Mathiayan, who was in Parappana Agrahara Central prison for almost 34 years, died on Sunday. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with a bomb blast case. He was 73 years old.

A key associate of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, Mathiayan hailed from Kolathur area near Mettur in Salem district. Involved in the 1993 Balaru blast case, he surrendered to the Karnataka Police.

Following this, a 4th case was registered against Matayan and Simon, Philavendran and Gnanprakasam were arrested along with him. 4 of them were sentenced to life imprisonment in a Karnataka court investigation in this regard. While there was an appeal against this in the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court ordered that four of them should be hanged. Involved in the 1993 Balaru blast case, he surrendered to the Karnataka Police.

Following this, a 4th case was registered against Matayan and Simon, Philavendran and Gnanprakasam were arrested along with him. 4 of them were sentenced to life imprisonment in a Karnataka court investigation in this regard. While there was an appeal against this in the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court ordered that four of them should be hanged.

According to sources, Mathiayan was admitted to Victoria Hospital following problems in breathing a few days ago. The wife and 2nd son of the deceased are living in Sengapadi near Mettur. The jail administration is taking steps to hand over the body to them.