Indore, Mar 3 (UNI) It was a victory of good over evil when Samandar Singh, after spending 12 years in jail, could not stop himself from tearfully offering a handful of flowers on the grave of Sister Rani Maria whom he murdered on February 25, 1995.

On the nun's 12th death anniversary, Singh reached her grave at Dewas district's Udainagar.

Samandar is now a transformed man as he saw affection and forgiveness in the eyes of Sr Maria's family, especially Sr Selmi who was tying rakhi to him in prison. The family left no stone unturned to get him out on parole and appealed to the Governor for his release. Samandar became a free man on August 22, 2006.

After being released, he visited Sr Maria's grave and her memorial thereafter. He was Chief Guest at the Christmas celebration in the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) Convent in Udainagar.

In January, he visited Sr Maria's native village Pullukuli in Kerala's Ernakulam district to meet her ailing father and other family members, Indore Diocese sources said.

The FCC's Sr Maria, also known as 'Indore Rani', was dragged out of a bus to Udainagar and fatally stabbed by attackers in broad daylight.

Sr Maria was involved in development of the tribal community by forming small savings groups for financing farmers to purchase seed and fertiliser. These activities were harming the interests of some selfish people.

UNI