CB-CID directed to trace Rs 1.67 crore by Madras HC

Chennai: A woman who married a man after divorcing him for mental disability, appears to have got into deeper trouble now with the Madras high court ordering CB-CID to trace Rs 1.67 crore realised out of sale of his property, post second marriage.

Priya Darshini had obtained divorce on January 5, 2010 on the ground she was cheated into marrying Manoj Rajan by suppressing the fact he was mentally challenged and their marriage on September 29, 2008 was not consummated.
However, she suddenly reappeared and ‘married’ him again amid allegation she abducted him from a home for mentally challenged in the Nilgiris with the help of some lawyers. On the date of wedding, which itself was conducted in a questionable manner, a property belonging to Manoj Rajan (29) was sold for Rs 1.67 crore.

Justice P.N. Prakash had on a petition moved by guardian N. Ananthan, who was named as Manoj’s guardian by his father E. Rajan before his death on December 26, 2013, raised questions on the intention behind Priya Darshini choosing to marry a second time the man she had discarded, particularly considering a high value property transfer after this second marriage.

Also Justice Prakash smelt a rat in the manner in which the marriage was conducted by a pastor John Amalraj and registered by G. Selvavinayagam, Sub-Registrar, Royapuram. He ordered CB-CID to probe the entire chain of events.

The judge had also ordered that custody and care of Manoj should be transferred to “Gnanadeepam” a recognised home in Madurai and he should be fully protected by police. While Priya Darshini moved the Supreme Court against this order, Justice Prakash on Wednesday directed CB-CID to trace the '1.67 crore, sale proceeds of Manoj’s property. The judge also ordered that Manoj be transferred to National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) at Bengaluru.