‘My husband is a goon, not a rapist’

Suresh alias Richard alias Suresh Langdo Kantibhai Dedawala (Chhara), convicted and sentenced to 31 years in jail for murder and rape, put up a strange defence — he could not have raped a Muslim woman since he was married to a Muslim.

The court, of course, shot down the argument.

Suresh Langdo, it now turns out, had scores to settle with Muslims living in Naroda Patiya, where he lived for about a year before moving to nearby Chharavaas in Naroda.

In 1995, Suresh married Farzana, who later changed her name to Seema. The local Muslims apparently did not take kindly to this inter-community marriage and boycotted the family, forcing the couple to move to Naroda.

According to Seema, Suresh never forgave them for that.

However, even after the sentencing, Seema is convinced her husband did not rape anyone but admits he worked as a henchman for leaders of pro-Hindu outfits.

"I knew he will be targetted. We were hated in Naroda Patiya because he is a Hindu and I am a Muslim.

I never knew he would have to pay such a big price. My husband is a goon, not a rapist. He was a victim of the hatred Muslims had towards him," says an upset Seema, who rushed back home along with her 12-year-old son after the sentencing was announced on Friday.

Suresh Langdo (he is lame due to Polio) is a known name among Naroda residents. Seema says she tried to mend his ways, but he was inclined towards crime and had come under the influence of Babu Bajrangi.

The couple also have a 15-year-old daughter. While the son, also a sculptor, studies in a municipal school, the girl stays at home and does embroidery work to support her mother who works as a house maid.

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