For the past four years, Rajani’s life has been defined by a poignant duality: a mother’s enduring grief and an unwavering campaign for justice. The tragic loss of her 12-year-old daughter, Abhirami, to a vicious stray dog attack remains an open wound, yet she has channelled her sorrow into a high-profile legal battle, impleading herself in a landmark Supreme Court case regarding the stray dog crisis.

Now, the Supreme Court directive permitting the euthanasia of dangerously aggressive stray dogs has brought a profound sense of validation to her long crusade.

"This ruling is an immense relief for mothers like me," Rajani said, her gaze fixed tenderly on a framed photograph of her late daughter. "Dangerous dogs must be cleared from our streets completely. No other mother should ever have to endure the agony of losing a child this way."

A tragedy compound by delays

The fatal incident occurred on the morning of 13 August 2022. Abhirami had left her home in Ranni Perunadu at around 7:00 AM to buy milk when she was set upon by a stray dog. The animal inflicted a deep, severe bite near her right eye—an injury that would ultimately prove fatal.

However, the tragedy was severely compounded by a series of administrative and medical failures. It took nearly three hours for the young girl to receive initial treatment. She was first rushed to the Perunadu Community Health Centre, only to find that no doctor was on duty. It was not until 10:00 AM, when she arrived at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital, that her wounds were finally cleansed. The first dose of the anti-rabies vaccine was administered nearly an hour later.

Despite later receiving two subsequent booster doses, Abhirami’s health rapidly declined. She was transferred to the specialised Children’s Hospital at Kottayam Medical College, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries on 5 September 2022.

The bureaucratic battle for compensation

Beyond the emotional toll, Abhirami's family has been forced to navigate a frustrating bureaucratic quagmire to secure financial recompense. To date, they have received a mere interim sum of Rs 3 lakhs.

Following a formal complaint lodged by Rajani, the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Siri Jagan Committee intervened in August 2024, ordering the Perunadu local government (Panchayat) to pay Rs 14.55 lakhs in compensation to the grieving family.

Rather than dispersing the funds, the local authority appealed to the High Court, arguing that the financial burden should be distributed across various state government departments instead of falling solely on local council coffers.

A glimmer of political hope emerged recently when Rajani personally intercepted the now Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan, during his 'Puthuyuga Yatra' rally in Adoor. After hearing her grievance, Satheesan gave a firm assurance that he would intervene to ensure the ordered compensation is delivered to the family without further delay.

For Rajani, while no amount of compensation or legal reform can fill the void left by Abhirami, the wheels of justice are, at long last, beginning to turn.