“There will never be redemption from the avappeyar (infamy). I shall not wish this even upon an enemy,” says Madhu, with folded hands. Mr. Madhu, alias Ravindranand the two others, Muniappan and Nedunchezhian, are AIADMK cadre, who were sentenced to life in the case relating to Dharmapuri bus burning case that claimed the lives of three girl students.

It is three days since he walked home a free man. Yet, there was little sign of relief on his face. “We gave up non-vegetarian food since that incident,” he claimed. “This infamy, I can’t wash it off ever no matter how many births [I take]. Please don’t go back to that incident. I think of my children, my girl’s marriage, all of it,” he said.

Mr. Madhu pulled out a rudraksham seed hanging from a thread around his neck, and said in a quiet tone, “I hold this rudraksham and tell you: whatever you want to ask me, just ask people outside, people who know me. Ask them if Madhu alias Ravindran is a good man or a bad man. I do not know how I’ll move on. I’m trying to forget it. So, please leave me alone.”

The AIADMK’s ‘two leaves’ symbol in cement is etched on the façade of Muniappan's two-storied house in Puliampatty. When told The Hindu wanted to speak with him, he stifled a laugh and left saying, “Muniappan is away.” His sons, one of them reportedly a policeman, said, “Appa is not home,” and left. Then, Mr. Muniappan returned with his son. This time, he said, “What is there to say? There's nothing to say. I am heading to the fields.”

In Kottakoil Street in Dharmapuri is the home of Nedunchezhian’s second wife. She said she “did not know of any Nedunchezhian.” She provided directions to the house of his first wife. A Labrador stood guard there, but the house was empty.