Anmol Kulkarni *(32) is from Murtazapur, District Akola. He has passed his HSC and was running a small Pan -Thela in Murtajapur. Anmol's niece used to complain about some baddies troubling her. She asked Anmol for help. One day Anmol went with her and had a heated argument with the boys. The same night some people attacked Anmol's house and in a bizarre incident where he was trying to defend himself a man got killed.

In a court battle that went on for years, Anmol had to sell his shop, his land and was convicted for a life in prison. After that Anmol convinced his wife for a second marriage and she got married some 4 years back. Anmol has a daughter from his ex-wife who stays at Ashramshala as it is not possible for Anmol's old mother to look after her. One could see the concern on Anmol's face when asked about his family.

Anmol says he doesn't know when he will be released and he cant see societal acceptance. After his release, he says, he would live a life of a 'Baudhdha bhikkhu'.

Anmol tells his story to Pranav Chhatre of IndianNGOs.com

Q. You look quite young dada, how long you have been in prison?
And for what reasons?
Ans. Yes, I am 32. I killed a man. I am convicted for a life in prison that's 28 years, out of those 8 years and 2 months have passed.

Q. Can you tell us what exactly happened?
Ans. I am from Murtazapur, Akola. I used to run a small Pan Thela in the village. One day my niece complained about some baddies troubling her on her way back from school.
I went with her and had a heated exchange with the boys.
The same night a mob attacked my house, believe me ... I was just trying to defend myself but a man got killed. I accept I murdered him, I had to ... otherwise I wouldn't have survived; I could not convince the court though. I was convicted in lower court as well as in high court. Now I have appealed to the Supreme Court ...God knows what's going to happen there.

Q. What happened to your family?
Ans. My marriage was just few months old when this bizarre incident took place. I was sent to jail then got convicted for a life in prison. I could see that it was very difficult for my wife to survive. I convinced her for a second marriage. It was a very difficult decision for my wife but with no choice left, she agreed. Some four years back she got married. My 'Budhi' (old mother) stays at the village and my sweet little daughter !! She is in a Ashramshala at Madan studying in 2 nd standard.

Q. Have you ever been on Parole, Furlough leave?
Ans. I always found it difficult to get the leave. One needs to get the favorable police report for that and since I had murdered a person from minority police always feared of potential tensions. Then I got in touch with 'Varhad' they helped me to complete formalities; they even stood surety for me.

I remember when I first went on leave, I got so frustrated with the attitude of the society that I thought about committing suicide with my daughter. Everyone was talking about me but no one wanted my company.

At that time Varhad volunteers convinced me not loose heart and assured that they will take care of my daughter. They got her admitted to a ashramshala at Madan, she is in 2 nd std now & happy. Since then I have been on leave three more times. I stayed at Varhad's office for few days. They even gave me money so that I could meet my 'Budhi'.

Q. Do you get good facilities here in prison?
Ans. Huhh …… the less I talk about it the better but after Varhad's intervention the situation has certainly improved. We have regular medical check-ups now, more activities like cultural programs, sports events, and educational campaigns etc. It's getting better.

Q. You have completed 8 years in jail; your track record is very good, so most probably you will be released after six years. What you plan to do then?
Ans. It's a myth that a person convicted for a life in prison gets released after 14 years. I haven't seen any. Please tell everyone. …It's a myth… no one gets released after 14 years.

The red taped bureaucracy keeps us suffering. I don't think I will be released in next ten years; and to tell you frankly, I am disappointed, I don't think people really care about me, they don't want me with them. I have decided to live a life of 'Budhdha bhikku' that's the only way I can get some mental peace.