This convict's return on parole attracts many

RIBDA VILLAGE, Rajkot district: The sprawling home of the Jadejas in this nondescript village on the Rajkot-Gondal road has suddenly become the centre of attraction since last week.
The reason is the return of its incumbent Aniruddhsinh Jadeja, the notorious son of ex-MLA Mahipatsinh Jadeja of Gondal, on a 14-day parole granted on ''personal grounds'', for the first time since he was convicted for the murder of Congress MLA Popat Lakha Sorathiya some years back.
As news spreads in the nearby villages people flock to Ribda to catch a glimpse of the convict. Some of them even pray that he is released for good and almost deify him. Like this resident of Ribda who said on conditions of anonymity, "he has always been very generous and polite in his dealings with us, we hope God will help him to overcome this grief."
The Jadejas, whose name spelled terror in Rajkot district nearly two decades ago, have been often compared to the Uttar Pradesh MLA, Raja Bhaiyya, till they went into near oblivion after Jadeja was convicted on a life term for dramatically shooting Sorathiya dead on the Independence Day of 1988.
Now, Jadeja''s return on parole, is being viewed with a lot of scepticism especially after reports that people are coming in droves to meet the convict. Jadeja was released on parole on personal grounds last week when he claimed that his wife was not in good health and had to undergo treatment.
The Jadeja home in this village is under heavy police security, nobody who Jadeja does not wish to see, is allowed inside. But sources say, Jadeja was spotted in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation a couple of days after his release. Four jawans of the district police stand guard outside apart from the other escorts who keep a watch on his moves.
Among the visitors are family members from nearby villages and surrounding areas who assemble to "pay their respects" to him. "We have followed the instructions accordingly and he is being escorted wherever he goes by armed police personnel, observing his every movement" said SP (Rajkot district) V M Pargi.
Jadeja avoids the media, but a source close to him said, "He is deeply involved in his wife''s treatment and thanks the government for granting this parole after much efforts." Apparently, he avoids the media in order not to create unnecessary controversy.