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{{Short description|Indian criminal (1952–2004)}} | |||
{{About|the person|the 2016 Kannada film|Killing Veerappan|the Bollywood film|Veerappan (2016 film)}} | {{About|the person|the 2016 Kannada film|Killing Veerappan|the Bollywood film|Veerappan (2016 film)}} | ||
{{ | {{Use British English|date=September 2013}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} | ||
{{Infobox criminal | {{Infobox criminal | ||
| name = Veerappan | | name = Veerappan | ||
| image = | | image = Veerappan, Chasing the Brigand (Book, 2017) 01 (cropped).jpg | ||
| image_caption = | | image_caption = Veerappan's portrait on the book Chasing the Brigand | ||
| birth_name = Koose | | birth_name = Koose Munusamy Veerappan | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1952|01|18 | | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1952|01|18}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Gopinatham]], [[ | | birth_place = [[Gopinatham]], [[Kollegal]] Taluk, [[Chamarajanagar District]], [[Karnataka]] | ||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2004|10|18|1952|1|18 | | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2004|10|18|1952|1|18}} | ||
| death_place = [[Papparapatti, Dharmapuri]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India | | death_place = [[Papparapatti, Dharmapuri]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India | ||
| death_cause = [[Gunshot wound|Ballistic trauma]] | | death_cause = [[Gunshot wound|Ballistic trauma]] | ||
| resting_place = Moolakadu, [[Tamil Nadu]], India | | resting_place = Moolakadu, [[Tamil Nadu]], India | ||
| known_for = {{ubl| | |||
*Kidnapping politicians | |||
*[[Sandalwood]] smuggling | |||
| known_for = {{ubl| | |||
* | |||
*[[Sandalwood]] | |||
*[[Poaching]] | *[[Poaching]] | ||
*[[Banditry]] | *[[Banditry]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| spouse = [[Muthulakshmi]] | | spouse = {{marriage|[[Muthulakshmi]]|1990|2004}} | ||
| children = 2 | | children = 2 | ||
| reward_amount = {{INRConvert|52|c|year=2002}} | | reward_amount = {{INRConvert|52|c|year=2002}} | ||
| capture_status = Deceased | | capture_status = Deceased | ||
| escaped = 1986 | | escaped = 1986 | ||
| escape_end = 2004 | | escape_end = 2004 | ||
| comments = {{INRConvert|784|c|year=2002}} spent to capture | | comments = {{INRConvert|784|c|year=2002}} spent to capture | ||
| beginyear = 1962 | |||
| beginyear = 1962 | | endyear = 2002 | ||
| | | country = India | ||
| | | states = [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]] | ||
| | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Koose Munisamy Veerappan'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Farmers-turned-Veerappans-killer-aides/articleshow/18493017.cms|title=Farmers turned Veerappan's killer aides|last=Karthick|first=S|date=14 February 2013|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Unravelling-an-Enigma/articleshow/892009.cms|title=Unravelling an Enigma|last=Singh|first=Shivani|date=19 October 2004|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref> (18 January 1952 – 18 October 2004) was an Indian [[ | '''Koose Munisamy Veerappan'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Farmers-turned-Veerappans-killer-aides/articleshow/18493017.cms|title=Farmers turned Veerappan's killer aides|last=Karthick|first=S|date=14 February 2013|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Unravelling-an-Enigma/articleshow/892009.cms|title=Unravelling an Enigma|last=Singh|first=Shivani|date=19 October 2004|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref> (18 January 1952 – 18 October 2004) was an Indian [[poacher]], [[smuggler]], [[domestic terrorist]] and [[Banditry|bandit]] who was active for 36 years, and kidnapped major politicians for ransom. He was charged with [[sandalwood]] smuggling and [[Crime in India#Poaching and wildlife trafficking|poaching]] of [[Indian elephant|elephants]] in the scrub lands and forests in the states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]] and [[Kerala]]. He was wanted for killing around 184 people, about half of whom were police officers and forest officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/cop-who-eliminated-veerappan-pens-book-on-the-forest-brigand-1785864/|title=Cop who eliminated Veerappan pens book on the forest brigand|agency=Press Trust of India|date=26 January 2017|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=January 2024}} He was also responsible for poaching approximately 500 of the 2,000 elephants killed in the peninsular region where he was active<ref name="frontline-pile">{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30225505.ece|title=How he made his pile|first=RAVI|last=SHARMA|website=Frontline|date=18 November 2004 }}</ref> and for [[Ivory trade|smuggling ivory]] worth US$2.6 million (₹16 crore)<ref name="frontline-pile" /> and about 65 tons of sandalwood<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/indepth/the-most-famous-of-them-all-31758|title=The most famous of them all|website=www.downtoearth.org.in|archive-date=29 September 2020|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929043527/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/indepth/the-most-famous-of-them-all-31758|url-status=dead}}</ref> worth approximately US$22 million (₹143 crore).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Wages of Impunity: Power, Justice, and Human Rights|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V1eD4bGpqvMC&q=veerappan&pg=PA322|last=K.G.|first=Kannabiran|ref=KG|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2004|isbn=9788125026389}}</ref> | ||
The battle to capture Veerappan cost the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over ₹100 crore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2004/oct/19veer18.htm|title=India's biggest, costliest manhunt|website=Rediff}}</ref> | |||
The battle to capture Veerappan cost the governments of | |||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Veerappan was born into a [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Vanniyar]] family in Gopinatham, [[Kollegal]]a, [[Chamarajanagar District]], [[Karnataka]], formerly known as [[Madras state]], in 1952.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odGoFF2HqQAC&q=veerappan+vanniyar&pg=PA197|title=In Search of the Rain Forest|last=Slater|first=Candace|date=1 March 2004|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=0822385279|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Caste-politics-may-bail-out-Veerappan/articleshow/1849977436.cms|title=Caste politics may bail out Veerappan|last=Ramachandran Ramesh|date=6 August 2000|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1723/17230100.htm|title=A desperate alliance|last=Subramanian|first=T.S.|date=11 November 2000|website=Frontline|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> In 1990, he was married to [[Muthulakshmi]], who reportedly married him because of his "notoriety and moustache".<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/19/india.markoliver|title=Death of a 'demon'|last=Oliver|first=Mark|date=19 October 2004|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 December 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Muthulakshmi-to-bring-out-book-on-lsquopolice-atrocities/article14697917.ece|title=Muthulakshmi to bring out book on 'police atrocities'|last=Kumar|first=M. T. Shiva|date=26 April 2011|work=The Hindu|access-date=23 December 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> As of 2004, his two daughters, Vidya Rani (born in 1990) and Prabha (born in 1993), were studying in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite news|last=Illangovan|first=R|title=Leave us in peace, say Veerappan's daughters|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/22/stories/2004102211001400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112072605/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/22/stories/2004102211001400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2005|access-date=24 May 2013|website=[[The Times of India]] | date=28 September 2011 }}</ref> | |||
He had support from the [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] party which openly sought for clemency on behalf of Veerappan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Caste-politics-may-bail-out-Veerappan/articleshow/1849977436.cms|title = Caste politics may bail out Veerappan | India News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]| date=6 August 2000 }}</ref> | |||
== Criminal | == Criminal history== | ||
Veerappan began his criminal career | Veerappan began his criminal career by assisting his uncle Sevi Gounder, a notorious poacher and [[sandalwood]] smuggler.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news |first=Luke |last=Harding |title=In the lair of India's asthmatic bandit king |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/aug/05/india.kashmir|work=The Guardian|location=London |date=5 August 2000 |access-date=27 August 2012 }}</ref> Veerappan initially worked as a sandalwood and [[ivory]] smuggler, killing elephants for their tusks.<ref name="how"/> He later broke away from his uncle. Over the next 25 years, Veerappan and other poachers together killed 2,000 to 3,000 elephants, with Veerappan and his gang responsible for approximately 500 of them.<ref name="frontline-pile" /> He was first arrested in 1972.<ref name=gua>{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/19/india.markoliver|title = Death of a 'demon'|work = The Guardian|first= Mark|last= Oliver|date = 2004}}</ref> | ||
After committing his first murder, at the age of 17, he began killing those who resisted his illegal activities. His victims tended to be police officers, forest officials, and informants.<ref name="how">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-19/india/27165183_1_tamil-nadu-wily-brigand-special-task-forces|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417001205/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-19/india/27165183_1_tamil-nadu-wily-brigand-special-task-forces|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2013|title=How Veerappan was shot dead|date=19 October 2004|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=27 August 2012}}</ref> | After committing his first murder, at the age of 17, he began killing those who resisted his illegal activities. His victims tended to be police officers, forest officials, and informants.<ref name="how">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-19/india/27165183_1_tamil-nadu-wily-brigand-special-task-forces|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417001205/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-19/india/27165183_1_tamil-nadu-wily-brigand-special-task-forces|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2013|title=How Veerappan was shot dead|date=19 October 2004|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=27 August 2012}}</ref> | ||
In 1987, Veerappan kidnapped and murdered a Sathyamangalam | In 1987, Veerappan kidnapped and murdered a [[Sathyamangalam]] Taluka forest officer named Chidambaram from Tamil Nadu. This brought his activities to the attention of the Indian Government.<ref name=village/><ref name="end">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Veerappan-End-of-three-decades-of-terror/articleshow/890585.cms|title=Veerappan: End of three decades of terror|date=19 October 2004|work=The Times of India|access-date=12 September 2012}}</ref> | ||
He drew further attention by murdering a senior [[Indian Forest Service|IFS]] officer, [[P. Srinivas|Pandillapalli Srinivas]] in November 1991. Next, there was the August 1992 ambush of a police party, which included a senior IPS officer, Harikrishna. | He drew further attention by murdering a senior [[Indian Forest Service|IFS]] officer, [[P. Srinivas|Pandillapalli Srinivas]], in November 1991. Next, there was the August 1992 ambush of a police party, which included a senior IPS officer, Harikrishna. | ||
Veerappan was not averse to killing civilians, and killed a man from his native village for traveling in a police jeep.<ref name=village/> He regularly killed anyone suspected of being a police informer. Because of political instability, Veerappan could easily escape from one state to another. State jurisdiction problems also prevented police officers from entering other states to apprehend Veerappan.<ref name=benita>{{cite book |last1=Estevez |first1=Benita |title=Smugglers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLqYgJHuuHMC&q=veerappan+politicians&pg=PT75 |access-date=22 February 2013 |publisher=R.W.Press |isbn=978-1-909284-08-1 }}</ref> | Veerappan was not averse to killing civilians, and killed a man from his native village for traveling in a police jeep.<ref name=village/> He regularly killed anyone suspected of being a police informer. Because of political instability, Veerappan could easily escape from one state to another. State jurisdiction problems also prevented police officers from entering other states to apprehend Veerappan.<ref name=benita>{{cite book |last1=Estevez |first1=Benita |title=Smugglers |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZLqYgJHuuHMC&q=veerappan+politicians&pg=PT75 |access-date=22 February 2013 |publisher=R.W.Press |isbn=978-1-909284-08-1 }}</ref> | ||
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=== Palar blast === | === Palar blast === | ||
{{Main|Palar blast}} | {{Main|Palar blast}} | ||
In Govindapadi, [[Mettur]], Veerappan killed a Bandari person whom he suspected of being a police informer. As a result, a 41-member team of police officers and forestry officials were called in to investigate. On 9 April 1993, landmines<!-- Yes, I know it wasn't really a landmine but an IED. "Landmine" will do for simplicity in this brief summary section --> were detonated underneath the two vehicles in which the team was traveling. The blast occurred at Palar, near [[Mahadeswara Hills|Malai Mahadeswara Hills]] (present-day [[Chamarajanagar District]], Karnataka) and killed 22 members of the team. Known as the Palar blast, this was Veerappan's single largest mass killing.<ref name=palar>{{cite news|last=Aravind|first=H M|title=Why Veerappan planned the Palar blast|url= | In Govindapadi, [[Mettur]], Veerappan killed a Bandari person whom he suspected of being a police informer. As a result, a 41-member team of police officers and forestry officials were called in to investigate. On 9 April 1993, landmines<!-- Yes, I know it wasn't really a landmine but an IED. "Landmine" will do for simplicity in this brief summary section --> were detonated underneath the two vehicles in which the team was traveling. The blast occurred at Palar, near [[Mahadeswara Hills|Malai Mahadeswara Hills]] (present-day [[Chamarajanagar District]], Karnataka) and killed 22 members of the team. Known as the Palar blast, this was Veerappan's single largest mass killing.<ref name=palar>{{cite news|last=Aravind|first=H M|title=Why Veerappan planned the Palar blast|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Why-Veerappan-planned-the-Palar-blast/articleshow/18493078.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602162807/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-14/mysore/37099133_1_veerappan-gang-karnataka-stf-palar-blast|url-status=live|archive-date=2 June 2013|access-date=17 February 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 February 2013}}</ref> | ||
=== Special Task Force === | === Special Task Force === | ||
In 1992, the Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu Governments formed a [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]] to catch Veerappan.<ref name=how/> It was headed in Tamil Nadu by Sanjay Arora and in Karnataka by Shankar | In 1992, the Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu Governments formed a [[Special Task Force (India)|Special Task Force]] to catch Veerappan.<ref name=how/> It was headed in Tamil Nadu by [[Sanjay Arora (officer)|Sanjay Arora]] and in Karnataka by [[Shankar Bidari]] with [[Walter Devaram]] as the joint chief. In February 1992, his lieutenant Gurunathan was killed by the Karnataka task force, with [[Sub-inspector|SI]] Shakeel Ahmed single-handedly responsible for the capture. Three months later, Veerappan attacked the [[Ramapura, Chamarajanagar|Ramapura]] police station in [[Kollegal]], killing several policemen and capturing arms and ammunition. In August 1992, Veerappan laid a trap for SI Shakeel Ahmed, killing him along with five others. The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Special Task Forces then began intensified combing operations along the two states' border areas and also around Gopinatham village, Veerappan's birthplace.<ref name=stf>{{cite news | first = V. S. | last = Palaniyappan | title = STF planning to corner Veerappan near Gopinatham | newspaper = The Hindu | date = 27 January 2003}}</ref> | ||
Through these operations, under charge of Sanjay Arora and Shankar Bidari, the gang was reduced to 5 members.<ref name=stf/><ref name="lure">{{cite news|url= | Through these operations, under charge of [[Sanjay Arora (officer)|Sanjay Arora]] and Shankar Bidari, the gang was reduced to 5 members.<ref name=stf/><ref name="lure">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/STF-tries-to-lure-villagers/articleshow/35703041.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602160546/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-01-28/bangalore/27286243_1_veerappan-gang-karnataka-stf-gopinatham|url-status=live|archive-date=2 June 2013|title=STF tries to lure villagers|date=28 January 2003|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=13 September 2012}}</ref> | ||
Meetings with Gopinatham villagers were held, and the 5-[[crore]] bounty was announced.<ref name=lure/> In 1993, the task force arrested Veerappan's wife, Muthulakshmi, and charged her with aiding, but she was acquitted of all charges.<ref name=":1" /> | Meetings with Gopinatham villagers were held, and the 5-[[crore]] bounty was announced.<ref name=lure/> In 1993, the task force arrested Veerappan's wife, Muthulakshmi, and charged her with aiding, but she was acquitted of all charges.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
=== Kidnapping of Rajkumar === | === Kidnapping of Rajkumar === | ||
{{Main|Kidnapping of Rajkumar}} | {{Main|Kidnapping of Rajkumar}} | ||
On 30 | On 30 June 2000, Veerappan abducted [[Cinema of Karnataka|Kannada cinema]] actor [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]] and three others from Dodda Gajanur, a village in Sathyamangalam taluk Erode district near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, where the film star was attending his housewarming ceremony.<ref name=acquit>{{cite news | title = Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi acquitted in actor Rajkumar kidnap case| newspaper =India Today | date =30 October 2012 | url =https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/veerappan-widow-muthulkshmi-actor-rajkumar-kidnap-case-120071-2012-10-29 |access-date=27 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=bbc>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3943969.stm | work=BBC News | title='Treasure hunt' for bandit's loot | date=22 October 2004 | access-date=27 May 2010}}</ref><ref name="frontline">{{cite news|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1716/17161310.htm|title=Veerappan's Prize Catch|last=Ravi|first=Sharma|date=5–18 August 2000|newspaper=Frontline Magazine, Chennai|access-date=6 June 2015}}</ref> | ||
Public outcry and violence ensued in [[Bangalore]] as well as other parts of Karnataka.<ref name=frontline/> A [[bandh]], or strike, also occurred on 22 September in Bangalore. Karnataka's Chief Minister and police personnel sought the help of Tamil Nadu Government and visited [[Chennai]] seeking help.<ref name=frontline/> Negotiations were conducted and [[R. Gopal]], an editor of the Tamil magazine ''Nakkeeran'', was involved in several rounds of talks with Veerappan.<ref>{{cite news|title=I have tried to be as truthful as possible|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article3813967.ece|access-date=26 August 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=24 August 2012}}</ref> Gopal had earlier visited Veerappan for similar negotiations,<ref name=guardian/> | Public outcry and violence ensued in [[Bangalore]] as well as other parts of Karnataka.<ref name=frontline/> A [[bandh]], or strike, also occurred on 22 September in Bangalore. Karnataka's Chief Minister and police personnel sought the help of Tamil Nadu Government and visited [[Chennai]] seeking help.<ref name=frontline/> Negotiations were conducted and [[R. Gopal]], an editor of the Tamil magazine ''Nakkeeran'', was involved in several rounds of talks with Veerappan.<ref>{{cite news|title=I have tried to be as truthful as possible|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article3813967.ece|access-date=26 August 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=24 August 2012}}</ref> Gopal had earlier visited Veerappan for similar negotiations,<ref name=guardian/> | ||
and visited the forest several times for videotaped discussions. Veerappan demanded justice for Tamil Nadu in the [[Cauvery Dispute|Cauvery Water dispute]], as well as making [[Tamil language|Tamil]] the second official language of Karnataka and the release of certain Tamil | and visited the forest several times for videotaped discussions. Veerappan demanded justice for Tamil Nadu in the [[Cauvery Dispute|Cauvery Water dispute]], as well as making [[Tamil language|Tamil]] the second official language of Karnataka and the release of certain Tamil political prisoners jailed in Tamil Nadu.<ref name=nambath/> Rajkumar was held for 108 days and finally released without harm in November 2000. A police official later revealed that 20 crore [[Indian rupee|rupee]]s had been paid by Karnataka government for his release.<ref name=bbc /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Govt-not-Rajkumar-family-paid-ransom-Ex-DGP/articleshow/29005840.cms|title=Govt, not Rajkumar family, paid ransom: Ex-DGP|date=22 November 2002|website=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsarchives.indiainfo.com/spotlight/rajkumar/veerappan.html|title=Veerappan -- still calling the shots|first=M.K.|last=Madhusoodan|access-date=16 July 2001|website=newsarchives.indiainfo.com|archive-date=16 July 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010716062605/http://newsarchives.indiainfo.com/spotlight/rajkumar/veerappan.html}}</ref> | ||
=== Kidnapping of Nagappa === | === Kidnapping of Nagappa === | ||
On 25 August 2002, Veerappan abducted [[H. Nagappa]], a former minister of Karnataka, from his village | On 25 August 2002, Veerappan abducted [[H. Nagappa]], a former minister of Karnataka, from his village in Kamagere, [[Chamarajanagar district]].<ref name=nagappa>{{cite news |title=Veerappan sends cassette |work=Express India |date=26 August 2002 |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=14148 |access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref> Nagappa had been a minister for Agricultural Marketing from 1996 to 1999.<ref name=nagappa/> The Joint Special task forces of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu worked with the [[Kerala]] police to help release Nagappa.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Kerala Police to help STF in operation against Veerappan|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Kerala-police-to-help-STF-in-operation-against-Veerappan/articleshow/20496587.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602155447/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-08-28/thiruvananthapuram/27304596_1_kerala-police-veerappan-stf|url-status=live|archive-date=2 June 2013|access-date=27 August 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 August 2002}}</ref> | ||
Nagappa had been a minister for Agricultural Marketing from 1996 to 1999.<ref name=nagappa/> The Joint Special task forces of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu worked with the [[Kerala]] police to help release Nagappa.<ref>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Kerala Police to help STF in operation against Veerappan|url= | The [[Police encounter|encounter]] to release him failed, and Nagappa was found dead three months later in a Karnataka forest.<ref name="death2"/> The reward offered by the Karnataka state government was then increased to 15 crore rupees. | ||
=== Ransom demands === | === Ransom demands === | ||
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For several years during the 1990s, Veerappan kidnapped police officials and other personalities and demanded ransom money. It is believed that ransoms were often unofficially paid.<ref name=frontline/> In July 1997, he kidnapped nine forest officials in the Burude forests in [[Chamarajanagar district]]. In that case, the hostages were released unharmed a few years later even though his ransom demand was not met. It is also believed that Veerappan buried large amounts of money in various parts of the forest; in 2002 police recovered 3.3 million rupees from his gang members.<ref name=cash>{{cite news | last =K.T. | first =Sangameswaran | title ='Ransoms' remain a mystery | date =21 October 2004 | url =http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102113590400.htm | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20041031144505/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102113590400.htm | url-status =dead | archive-date =31 October 2004 | newspaper =[[The Hindu]] |access-date=19 February 2013}}</ref> | For several years during the 1990s, Veerappan kidnapped police officials and other personalities and demanded ransom money. It is believed that ransoms were often unofficially paid.<ref name=frontline/> In July 1997, he kidnapped nine forest officials in the Burude forests in [[Chamarajanagar district]]. In that case, the hostages were released unharmed a few years later even though his ransom demand was not met. It is also believed that Veerappan buried large amounts of money in various parts of the forest; in 2002 police recovered 3.3 million rupees from his gang members.<ref name=cash>{{cite news | last =K.T. | first =Sangameswaran | title ='Ransoms' remain a mystery | date =21 October 2004 | url =http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102113590400.htm | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20041031144505/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102113590400.htm | url-status =dead | archive-date =31 October 2004 | newspaper =[[The Hindu]] |access-date=19 February 2013}}</ref> | ||
Banned organisations like the [[Tamil National Retrieval Troops]] (TNRT) and [[Tamil Nadu Liberation Army]] helped Veerappan to secure a [[Robin Hood]] image and to draft terms of negotiations when he kidnapped prominent people.<ref name=nambath>{{cite news | last =Nambath | first =Suresh | title =Veerappan as "Robin Hood" | date =20 October 2004 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007931200.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041128164443/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007931200.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 28 November 2004| newspaper =[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 February 2013}}</ref> [[Kolathur Mani]], president of [[Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam]], formerly the [[Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam]] (PDK) party,<ref name=PDK>{{cite news | last =TNN | title = Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) splits into two parties| date =19 August 2012 | url = | Banned organisations like the [[Tamil National Retrieval Troops]] (TNRT) and [[Tamil Nadu Liberation Army]] helped Veerappan to secure a [[Robin Hood]] image and to draft terms of negotiations when he kidnapped prominent people.<ref name=nambath>{{cite news | last =Nambath | first =Suresh | title =Veerappan as "Robin Hood" | date =20 October 2004 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007931200.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041128164443/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007931200.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 28 November 2004| newspaper =[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 February 2013}}</ref> [[Kolathur Mani]], president of [[Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam]], formerly the [[Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam]] (PDK) party,<ref name=PDK>{{cite news | last =TNN | title = Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) splits into two parties| date =19 August 2012 | url =https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/Periyar-Dravidar-Kazhagam-PDK-splits-into-two-parties/articleshow/15551553.cms | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130602163000/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-19/coimbatore/33272337_1_kolathur-mani-pdk-periyar-dravidar-kazhagam | url-status =live | archive-date =2 June 2013 | newspaper =[[The Times of India]] |access-date=1 March 2013}}</ref> was arrested and brought to trial as an accomplice in several of Veerappan's crimes, although later acquitted due to lack of evidence.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Muthulakshmi-acquitted-in-Palar-bomb-blast-case/article14950243.ece|title=Muthulakshmi acquitted in Palar bomb blast case|date=17 March 2011|work=The Hindu|access-date=23 December 2018|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | ||
== Death == | == Death == | ||
{{Main|Operation Cocoon}}On 18 October 2004, Veerappan and three of his associates were killed by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/19/stories/2004101916450100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203070323/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/19/stories/2004101916450100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2014|title=Veerappan shot dead|date=19 October 2004|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> and N. K. Senthamarai Kannan under the | {{Main|Operation Cocoon}}On 18 October 2004, Veerappan and three of his associates were killed by the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Special Task Force<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/19/stories/2004101916450100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203070323/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/19/stories/2004101916450100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2014|title=Veerappan shot dead|date=19 October 2004|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> and N. K. Senthamarai Kannan under the leadership of [[Shankar Bidari]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Veerappan died 40 mins before stage-managed encounter: Author P Sivasubramaniam |date=12 December 2023 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/Dec/02/veerappan-died-40-mins-before-stage-managed-encounter-authorp-sivasubramaniam-2638004.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Veerappan ghost returns to haunt Shankar Bidari|date= 17 March 2012|url= https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/veerappan-ghost-returns-haunt-shankar-2320362}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Shankar Bidari IPS: Not only Veerappan, but also the killer of Andhra | Police Story | National TV |website= [[YouTube]] |date= 18 June 2023 |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcT87Fe4hxY }}</ref> and [[K. Vijay Kumar]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Birds, Beasts and Bandits: 14 Days with Veerappan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nmRmgC5keFUC&q=veerappan|last1=Krupakar|first1=Krupakar |last2=Senani|first2=Senani |publisher=Penguin UK|year=2011|isbn=9788184754803|ref=Krupakar }}</ref> | ||
The encounter happened near the village of [[Papparapatti, Dharmapuri|Papparapatti]]<ref name="death2" /><ref name="death">{{cite news | last =M.B.Maramkal | first =Bansy Kalappa | title = Veerappan Brigand's last run| date =20 October 2004 |url =http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-20/india/27158275_1_dharmapuri-veerappan-ambulance|archive-url =https://archive.today/20130126235954/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-20/india/27158275_1_dharmapuri-veerappan-ambulance|url-status =dead|archive-date =26 January 2013| newspaper =[[The Times of India]] |access-date=11 September 2013<!-- | The [[Encounter killing|encounter]] happened near the village of [[Papparapatti, Dharmapuri|Papparapatti]]<ref name="death2" /><ref name="death">{{cite news | last =M.B.Maramkal | first =Bansy Kalappa | title = Veerappan Brigand's last run| date =20 October 2004 |url =http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-20/india/27158275_1_dharmapuri-veerappan-ambulance|archive-url =https://archive.today/20130126235954/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-20/india/27158275_1_dharmapuri-veerappan-ambulance|url-status =dead|archive-date =26 January 2013| newspaper =[[The Times of India]] |access-date=11 September 2013<!-- | ||
332-->}}</ref> | 332-->}}</ref> | ||
in [[Dharmapuri]] district, Tamil Nadu. Veerappan and his men were lured into an ambulance by an undercover policeman under the pretext of taking them to Dharmapuri for medical treatment.<ref name="death" /> The Tamil Nadu Special Task Force, which had been observing his movements for several months, surrounded the ambulance, and the gangsters were killed in the ensuing gunfight.<ref name="death2">{{cite news |title=How Veerappan was shot dead |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-Veerappan-was-shot-dead/890783.cms |work=The Times of India |date=19 October 2004 |access-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> | in [[Dharmapuri]] district, Tamil Nadu. Veerappan and his men were lured into an ambulance by an undercover policeman under the pretext of taking them to Dharmapuri for medical treatment.<ref name="death" /> The Tamil Nadu Special Task Force, which had been observing his movements for several months, surrounded the ambulance, and the gangsters were killed in the ensuing gunfight.<ref name="death2">{{cite news |title=How Veerappan was shot dead |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/How-Veerappan-was-shot-dead/890783.cms |work=The Times of India |date=19 October 2004 |access-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> | ||
The entire operation was named [[Operation Cocoon]] | The entire operation was named [[Operation Cocoon]]. Veerappan's associates Sethukuli Govindan, Chandre Gowdar and Sethumani were also killed in the operation.<ref name="drama">{{cite news|last=Nambath|first=Suresh|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/10/31/stories/2004103100020100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041109093219/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/10/31/stories/2004103100020100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 November 2004|title=Jungle Drama|date=31 October 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=28 February 2013}}</ref> | ||
His death was described as the "death of a demon" | His death was described as the "death of a demon".<ref name=":0" /> The villagers of [[Gopinatham]] celebrated with firecrackers on hearing the news.<ref name=village>{{cite news | first = R. | last = Ilangovan | title = A relieved Gopinatham breathes easy | date =20 October 2004 | url =http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007981200.htm | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20041112092111/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007981200.htm | url-status =dead | archive-date =12 November 2004 | newspaper = [[The Hindu]] |access-date= 13 September 2012 }}</ref> | ||
Several human rights activists, who rallied under the banner of the Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties (CPCL), claimed that circumstantial evidence indicated that Veerappan was murdered by police after being tortured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/19/stories/2005011914970500.htm|title=Veerappan killed in fake encounter: activists|date=19 January 2005|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=25 February 2017}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic | Several human rights activists, who rallied under the banner of the Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties (CPCL), claimed that circumstantial evidence indicated that Veerappan was murdered in custody by police after being tortured.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/19/stories/2005011914970500.htm|title=Veerappan killed in fake encounter: activists|date=19 January 2005|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=25 February 2017}} {{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | ||
Veerappan was buried at Moolakkadu near Mettur in Tamil Nadu, as his family members were more attached to it and most of his relatives in Gopinatham had left.<ref name=burial>{{cite news | first = R. | last = Illangovan | title = Veerappan buried after wrangling | date = 21 October 2004 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102108640100.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041023022008/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102108640100.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 23 October 2004 | newspaper = [[The Hindu]] | access-date = 18 February 2013}}</ref> | Veerappan was buried at [[Moolakkadu]] near Mettur in Tamil Nadu, as his family members were more attached to it, and most of his relatives in Gopinatham had left.<ref name=burial>{{cite news | first = R. | last = Illangovan | title = Veerappan buried after wrangling | date = 21 October 2004 | url = http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102108640100.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041023022008/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/21/stories/2004102108640100.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 23 October 2004 | newspaper = [[The Hindu]] | access-date = 18 February 2013}}</ref> The police had planned a cremation but decided on a burial after objections from Veerappan's relatives.<ref name=burial/> Thousands of people turned out for the burial, while others were kept away by heavy security.<ref name=burial/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/koose-muniswamy-veerappan-the-bandit-king-544362.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220811/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/koose-muniswamy-veerappan-the-bandit-king-544362.html |archive-date=11 August 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Koose Muniswamy Veerappan: The Bandit King|date=20 October 2004|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref> | ||
The police had planned a cremation but decided on a burial after objections from Veerappan's relatives.<ref name=burial/> Thousands of people turned out for the burial, while others were kept away by heavy security.<ref name=burial/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/koose-muniswamy-veerappan-the-bandit-king-544362.html|title=Koose Muniswamy Veerappan: The Bandit King|date=20 October 2004|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref> | |||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == | ||
| Line 120: | Line 106: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|27 August 1983 | |27 August 1983 | ||
|Killed K. M. Prithvi (age 25), a forest guard, near Mavukal, Ponnampet, Kodagu, Karnataka when the guard tried to prevent elephant poaching by the gang | |Killed K. M. Prithvi (age 25), a forest guard, near Mavukal, Ponnampet, Kodagu, Karnataka when the guard tried to prevent elephant poaching by the gang.<ref name="fifteen">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007080400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127151026/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/20/stories/2004102007080400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2004|title=Police had 15 encounters with brigand|last=Subrahmanya|first=K.V.|date=20 October 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=5 March 2013}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|1986 | |1986 | ||
|Arrested and lodged at | |Arrested and lodged at Boodipada forest guest house but escaped under mysterious circumstances (reportedly bribed a police officer).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/oct/20veer3.htm|title=The man who caught Veerappan alive|last=Jafri|first=S.A.|date=20 October 2004|newspaper=Reddif India News|access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|26 August 1986 | |26 August 1986 | ||
| Line 144: | Line 130: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|10 November 1991 | |10 November 1991 | ||
|Murdered former forestry official, P. Srinivas, by luring him to an ambush site. Veerappan had offered to surrender, if Srinivas came unaccompanied and unarmed. Srinivas was shot while crossing a nullah 6 kilometers from Gopinatham village.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/88fc/pdf/P.Srinivas%20Brochure.pdf|title= A Tribute to a Martyr: P.Srinivas|website= mcrhrdi.gov.in|access-date= 29 September 2020|archive-date= 24 November 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191124053206/http://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/88fc/pdf/P.Srinivas%20Brochure.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref> | |Murdered former forestry official, [[P. Srinivas]], by luring him to an ambush site. Veerappan had offered to surrender, if Srinivas came unaccompanied and unarmed. Srinivas was shot while crossing a nullah 6 kilometers from Gopinatham village.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/88fc/pdf/P.Srinivas%20Brochure.pdf|title= A Tribute to a Martyr: P.Srinivas|website= mcrhrdi.gov.in|access-date= 29 September 2020|archive-date= 24 November 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191124053206/http://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/88fc/pdf/P.Srinivas%20Brochure.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|1992 | |1992 | ||
| Line 150: | Line 136: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|14 August 1992 | |14 August 1992 | ||
|Meenyam Ambush : Trapped and killed Mysore District SP, T. Harikrishna, SI Shakeel Ahmed and four constables named Benegonda, C. M. Kalappa, Sundara and M. P. Appachu, through a false informant near Meenyam in Karnataka.<ref name="fifteen" /> | |Meenyam Ambush: Trapped and killed Mysore District SP, T. Harikrishna, SI Shakeel Ahmed and four constables named Benegonda, C. M. Kalappa, Sundara and M. P. Appachu, through a false informant near Meenyam in Karnataka.<ref name="fifteen" /> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|25 January 1993 | |25 January 1993 | ||
| Line 174: | Line 160: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|1997 | |1997 | ||
|The gang kidnapped wildlife photographers Senani and Krupakar. Veerappan apparently killed | |The gang kidnapped wildlife photographers Senani and Krupakar. Veerappan apparently killed 'Baby Veerappan', a gang member, who had visions to succeed Veerappan.<ref name="drama" /> Kidnapped and released other photographers Senani and Krupakar. Kidnapped and executed nine Karnataka forest officials from Burude forests. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|1998 | |1998 | ||
| Line 180: | Line 166: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2000 | |2000 | ||
|Kidnapped [[Kannada film]] actor Dr. [[Rajkumar | |Kidnapped [[Kannada film]] actor Dr. [[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]. Released him after 108 days (ransomed). | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2002 | |2002 | ||
|Kidnapped and allegedly killed former Karnataka minister H. Nagappa. There are other sources, including police of Karnataka who claims that the bullet in the body of the former minister was from a rifle used by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (possibly the rifle used was stolen from Tamil Nadu task force or crossfire could have caused his death). | |Kidnapped and allegedly killed former Karnataka minister H. Nagappa. There are other sources, including police of Karnataka who claims that the bullet in the body of the former minister was from a rifle used by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (possibly the rifle used was stolen from Tamil Nadu task force or crossfire could have caused his death). | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2004 | |18 October 2004 | ||
|Killed by Tamil Nadu Special Task Force members at a checkpoint, when the bandit was travelling in an ambulance driven by a disguised policeman.<ref name="death2" /> | |Killed by Tamil Nadu Special Task Force members at a checkpoint, when the bandit was travelling in an ambulance driven by a disguised policeman.<ref name="death2" /> | ||
|} | |} | ||
== In | ==Legacy== | ||
On April 25, 2013, the [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] and the Vanniyar Sangam called Veerappan a youth icon at the Vanniyar Youth Cultural Festival at Mamallapuram. The incident was condemned by [[Jayalalithaa]], the then [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/content/329376/pmk-projects-veerappan-icon-jaya.html| title = PMK projects Veerappan as icon, Jaya fumes {{!}} Deccan Herald -| date = 30 April 2013}}</ref> | |||
== In media == | |||
=== Film and television === | === Film and television === | ||
*''Veerappan'' – a 1991 Indian Kannada-language crime action film by Raveendranath, starring [[Devaraj]] in the titular role of the bandit.<ref>{{Cite | *''Veerappan'' – a 1991 Indian Kannada-language crime action film by Raveendranath, starring [[Devaraj]] in the titular role of the bandit.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Devaraj was the first to do Veerappan's role|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/did-you-know/devaraj-was-the-first-to-do-veerappans-role/articleshow/44836338.cms|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> | ||
*''[[Attahasa]]'' – a 2012 Kannada film, is based on Veerappan's life and death. The movie highlights the STF operations on Veerappan, kidnapping of Dr. Rajkumar and ultimately the Operation Cocoon | *''[[Attahasa]]'' – a 2012 Kannada film, is based on Veerappan's life and death. The movie highlights the STF operations on Veerappan, kidnapping of Dr. Rajkumar and ultimately the Operation Cocoon. The film was also dubbed to Telugu and Malayalam in 2013 titled as ''Veerappan'' and in Tamil as ''Vana Yuddham''. | ||
*''[[Killing Veerappan]]'' – a 2016 Kannada film, written and directed by [[Ram Gopal Varma]] based on [[Operation Cocoon]]. The film was also released in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam consequently with the same title. | *''[[Killing Veerappan]]'' – a 2016 Kannada film, written and directed by [[Ram Gopal Varma]] based on [[Operation Cocoon]]. The film was also released in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam consequently with the same title. | ||
* ''[[Veerappan (film)|Veerappan]]'' – a 2016 Hindi full length biographical feature film written and directed by | * ''[[Veerappan (film)|Veerappan]]'' – a 2016 Hindi full length biographical feature film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film was also released in Tamil as ''Villathi Villan Veerappan'''.''''' | ||
*''Sandhanakaadu –'' a | *''Sandhanakaadu –'' a 2007 Tamil television series aired on [[Makkal TV]], based on Veerappan's life starring [[Karate Raja]] as Veerappan. | ||
*''[[The Hunt for Veerappan]] –'' A docuseries directed by Selvamani Selvaraj which premiered on [[Netflix]] in 4 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2023 |title=ವೀರಪ್ಪನ್ ಡಾಕ್ಯುಮೆಂಟರಿ ಟೀಸರ್ ಔಟ್! |url=https://vistaranews.com/cinema-film/ashwini-puneeth-rajkumaraachar-and-co-on-july-28/410952.html |website=Vistara News |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727071442/https://vistaranews.com/cinema-film/ashwini-puneeth-rajkumaraachar-and-co-on-july-28/410952.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
*''[[Koose Munisamy Veerappan (TV series)|Koose Munisamy Veerappan]]'' - A documentary series explores the life of Veerappan using footage shot by [[Nakkeeran Gopal]] and archived by [[Nakkheeran]]. | |||
=== Books === | === Books === | ||
[[File:The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh releasing the book titled ‘Veerappan, Chasing the Brigand’, written by Shri K. Vijay Kumar, Senior Security Adviser, Ministry of Home Affairs, in New Delhi on February 08, 2017.jpg|thumb|right|Government of India inaugurating a book ''′Veerappan, Chasing the Brigand′'', written by Senior Security Adviser K. Vijay Kumar, on 8 February 2017]] | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+ | |+ | ||
| Line 244: | Line 236: | ||
|Sivasubramaniam Periyasamy | |Sivasubramaniam Periyasamy | ||
|Tamil | |Tamil | ||
|Veerappan's Saga - Rise and Fall | |||
|- | |||
|''Veerapan Death Warrant'' | |||
|[[S. K. Umesh]] | |||
|Kannada | |||
| | | | ||
|- | |||
|''Veerapan Blood Warrant'' | |||
|[[S. K. Umesh]] | |||
|Kannada | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 252: | Line 255: | ||
* [[Phoolan Devi]] | * [[Phoolan Devi]] | ||
* [[Seema Parihar]] | * [[Seema Parihar]] | ||
* [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]] | * [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]] | ||
{{commons category}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 277: | Line 281: | ||
[[Category:Indian gangsters killed in encounters]] | [[Category:Indian gangsters killed in encounters]] | ||
[[Category:Murdered Indian gangsters]] | [[Category:Murdered Indian gangsters]] | ||
[[Category:Illegal logging in India]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:18, 17 March 2026
Veerappan | |
|---|---|
_01_(cropped).jpg) Veerappan's portrait on the book Chasing the Brigand | |
| Born | Koose Munusamy Veerappan 18 January 1952 |
| Died | 18 October 2004 (aged 52) Papparapatti, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Cause of death | Ballistic trauma |
| Resting place | Moolakadu, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse(s) | ( m. 1990–2004) |
| Children | 2 |
Reward amount | ₹52 crore (equivalent to ₹160 crore or US$22 million in 2019) |
Capture status | Deceased |
| Escaped | 1986 |
| Escape end | 2004 |
| Comments | ₹784 crore (equivalent to ₹24 billion or US$340 million in 2019) spent to capture |
| Details | |
Span of crimes | 1962–2002 |
| Country | India |
| State(s) | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala |
Koose Munisamy Veerappan[1][2] (18 January 1952 – 18 October 2004) was an Indian poacher, smuggler, domestic terrorist and bandit who was active for 36 years, and kidnapped major politicians for ransom. He was charged with sandalwood smuggling and poaching of elephants in the scrub lands and forests in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. He was wanted for killing around 184 people, about half of whom were police officers and forest officials.[3][failed verification] He was also responsible for poaching approximately 500 of the 2,000 elephants killed in the peninsular region where he was active[4] and for smuggling ivory worth US$2.6 million (₹16 crore)[4] and about 65 tons of sandalwood[5] worth approximately US$22 million (₹143 crore).[6]
The battle to capture Veerappan cost the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over ₹100 crore.[7]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Veerappan was born into a Tamil Vanniyar family in Gopinatham, Kollegala, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka, formerly known as Madras state, in 1952.[8][9][10][2] In 1990, he was married to Muthulakshmi, who reportedly married him because of his "notoriety and moustache".[11][12] As of 2004, his two daughters, Vidya Rani (born in 1990) and Prabha (born in 1993), were studying in Tamil Nadu.[13] He had support from the Pattali Makkal Katchi party which openly sought for clemency on behalf of Veerappan.[14]
Criminal history[edit | edit source]
Veerappan began his criminal career by assisting his uncle Sevi Gounder, a notorious poacher and sandalwood smuggler.[15] Veerappan initially worked as a sandalwood and ivory smuggler, killing elephants for their tusks.[16] He later broke away from his uncle. Over the next 25 years, Veerappan and other poachers together killed 2,000 to 3,000 elephants, with Veerappan and his gang responsible for approximately 500 of them.[4] He was first arrested in 1972.[17]
After committing his first murder, at the age of 17, he began killing those who resisted his illegal activities. His victims tended to be police officers, forest officials, and informants.[16]
In 1987, Veerappan kidnapped and murdered a Sathyamangalam Taluka forest officer named Chidambaram from Tamil Nadu. This brought his activities to the attention of the Indian Government.[18][19] He drew further attention by murdering a senior IFS officer, Pandillapalli Srinivas, in November 1991. Next, there was the August 1992 ambush of a police party, which included a senior IPS officer, Harikrishna.
Veerappan was not averse to killing civilians, and killed a man from his native village for traveling in a police jeep.[18] He regularly killed anyone suspected of being a police informer. Because of political instability, Veerappan could easily escape from one state to another. State jurisdiction problems also prevented police officers from entering other states to apprehend Veerappan.[20]
Palar blast[edit | edit source]
In Govindapadi, Mettur, Veerappan killed a Bandari person whom he suspected of being a police informer. As a result, a 41-member team of police officers and forestry officials were called in to investigate. On 9 April 1993, landmines were detonated underneath the two vehicles in which the team was traveling. The blast occurred at Palar, near Malai Mahadeswara Hills (present-day Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka) and killed 22 members of the team. Known as the Palar blast, this was Veerappan's single largest mass killing.[21]
Special Task Force[edit | edit source]
In 1992, the Karnataka and the Tamil Nadu Governments formed a Special Task Force to catch Veerappan.[16] It was headed in Tamil Nadu by Sanjay Arora and in Karnataka by Shankar Bidari with Walter Devaram as the joint chief. In February 1992, his lieutenant Gurunathan was killed by the Karnataka task force, with SI Shakeel Ahmed single-handedly responsible for the capture. Three months later, Veerappan attacked the Ramapura police station in Kollegal, killing several policemen and capturing arms and ammunition. In August 1992, Veerappan laid a trap for SI Shakeel Ahmed, killing him along with five others. The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Special Task Forces then began intensified combing operations along the two states' border areas and also around Gopinatham village, Veerappan's birthplace.[22]
Through these operations, under charge of Sanjay Arora and Shankar Bidari, the gang was reduced to 5 members.[22][23] Meetings with Gopinatham villagers were held, and the 5-crore bounty was announced.[23] In 1993, the task force arrested Veerappan's wife, Muthulakshmi, and charged her with aiding, but she was acquitted of all charges.[24]
Kidnapping of Rajkumar[edit | edit source]
On 30 June 2000, Veerappan abducted Kannada cinema actor Rajkumar and three others from Dodda Gajanur, a village in Sathyamangalam taluk Erode district near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, where the film star was attending his housewarming ceremony.[25][26][27] Public outcry and violence ensued in Bangalore as well as other parts of Karnataka.[27] A bandh, or strike, also occurred on 22 September in Bangalore. Karnataka's Chief Minister and police personnel sought the help of Tamil Nadu Government and visited Chennai seeking help.[27] Negotiations were conducted and R. Gopal, an editor of the Tamil magazine Nakkeeran, was involved in several rounds of talks with Veerappan.[28] Gopal had earlier visited Veerappan for similar negotiations,[15] and visited the forest several times for videotaped discussions. Veerappan demanded justice for Tamil Nadu in the Cauvery Water dispute, as well as making Tamil the second official language of Karnataka and the release of certain Tamil political prisoners jailed in Tamil Nadu.[29] Rajkumar was held for 108 days and finally released without harm in November 2000. A police official later revealed that 20 crore rupees had been paid by Karnataka government for his release.[26][30][31]
Kidnapping of Nagappa[edit | edit source]
On 25 August 2002, Veerappan abducted H. Nagappa, a former minister of Karnataka, from his village in Kamagere, Chamarajanagar district.[32] Nagappa had been a minister for Agricultural Marketing from 1996 to 1999.[32] The Joint Special task forces of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu worked with the Kerala police to help release Nagappa.[33] The encounter to release him failed, and Nagappa was found dead three months later in a Karnataka forest.[34] The reward offered by the Karnataka state government was then increased to 15 crore rupees.
Ransom demands[edit | edit source]
For several years during the 1990s, Veerappan kidnapped police officials and other personalities and demanded ransom money. It is believed that ransoms were often unofficially paid.[27] In July 1997, he kidnapped nine forest officials in the Burude forests in Chamarajanagar district. In that case, the hostages were released unharmed a few years later even though his ransom demand was not met. It is also believed that Veerappan buried large amounts of money in various parts of the forest; in 2002 police recovered 3.3 million rupees from his gang members.[35]
Banned organisations like the Tamil National Retrieval Troops (TNRT) and Tamil Nadu Liberation Army helped Veerappan to secure a Robin Hood image and to draft terms of negotiations when he kidnapped prominent people.[29] Kolathur Mani, president of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, formerly the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) party,[36] was arrested and brought to trial as an accomplice in several of Veerappan's crimes, although later acquitted due to lack of evidence.[24]
Death[edit | edit source]
On 18 October 2004, Veerappan and three of his associates were killed by the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Special Task Force[37] and N. K. Senthamarai Kannan under the leadership of Shankar Bidari[38][39][40] and K. Vijay Kumar.[41]
The encounter happened near the village of Papparapatti[34][42] in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. Veerappan and his men were lured into an ambulance by an undercover policeman under the pretext of taking them to Dharmapuri for medical treatment.[42] The Tamil Nadu Special Task Force, which had been observing his movements for several months, surrounded the ambulance, and the gangsters were killed in the ensuing gunfight.[34]
The entire operation was named Operation Cocoon. Veerappan's associates Sethukuli Govindan, Chandre Gowdar and Sethumani were also killed in the operation.[43]
His death was described as the "death of a demon".[11] The villagers of Gopinatham celebrated with firecrackers on hearing the news.[18]
Several human rights activists, who rallied under the banner of the Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties (CPCL), claimed that circumstantial evidence indicated that Veerappan was murdered in custody by police after being tortured.[44]
Veerappan was buried at Moolakkadu near Mettur in Tamil Nadu, as his family members were more attached to it, and most of his relatives in Gopinatham had left.[45] The police had planned a cremation but decided on a burial after objections from Veerappan's relatives.[45] Thousands of people turned out for the burial, while others were kept away by heavy security.[45][46]
Timeline[edit | edit source]
| Year | Veerappan's Activities |
|---|---|
| 1962 | Veerappan's first crime. He was just 10 when he gunned down a tusker with the help of his mentor Sevi Gounder at Gopinatham. Nabbed three forest officials and killed them. |
| 1970 | Joined a gang of poachers. |
| 27 August 1983 | Killed K. M. Prithvi (age 25), a forest guard, near Mavukal, Ponnampet, Kodagu, Karnataka when the guard tried to prevent elephant poaching by the gang.[47] |
| 1986 | Arrested and lodged at Boodipada forest guest house but escaped under mysterious circumstances (reportedly bribed a police officer).[48] |
| 26 August 1986 | Killed Siddarama Naik, a forest watcher at Alegowdana Katte, Gundlupet, Karnataka.[47] |
| 1987 | Kidnapped and hacked Tamil Nadu forest officer Chidambaram.[19] |
| 5 January 1989 | Kidnapped and killed five members of a rival gang.[49] |
| 1989 | Killed three forest personnel after 15 days of abducting them from Begur forest range.[19] |
| 9 April 1990 | Killed three police SI Dinesh, Jagannath, Ramalingu and police constable Shankara Rao near Hogenakal. Shot and beheaded Karnataka deputy conservator of forests, Srinivas,[18] as revenge for Veerappan's sister Mala's suicide (the victim's head was traced three years later). |
| 1991 | Abducted son of a granite quarry owner and demanded ransom of Rs. 1 crore; released him for a ransom of Rs. 15 lakhs.[19] |
| 10 November 1991 | Murdered former forestry official, P. Srinivas, by luring him to an ambush site. Veerappan had offered to surrender, if Srinivas came unaccompanied and unarmed. Srinivas was shot while crossing a nullah 6 kilometers from Gopinatham village.[50] |
| 1992 | Attacked a police station in Ramapura, killing five policemen, injuring two and stealing arms and ammunition.[51] STF killed two gang members in retaliation. |
| 14 August 1992 | Meenyam Ambush: Trapped and killed Mysore District SP, T. Harikrishna, SI Shakeel Ahmed and four constables named Benegonda, C. M. Kalappa, Sundara and M. P. Appachu, through a false informant near Meenyam in Karnataka.[47] |
| 25 January 1993 | Veerappan and his gang had a close encounter and missed by a whisker the police team headed by "Rambo" Gopalakrishnan, Police officer from Tamil Nadu; one of his gang members and close associate Antony Raj was gunned down.[52] |
| 1993 | Border Security force (BSF) was deployed to hunt Veerappan but felt that language was the main barrier to carry out a successful operation.[52] Deployment of Border Security Force (of Central Government) was disliked by Tamil Nadu Government.[52] Veerappan killed about 20 combatants of BSF.[52] |
| April 1993 | Trapped and blew up a Tamil Nadu bus carrying police, forest officials and civilians, using a landmine, which killed 22 civilians and police[19] in Palar blast incident.[21] |
| 24 May 1993 | Killed 6 policemen K. M. Uthappa, Prabhakara, Poovaiah, Machaiah, Swamy and Narasappa of STF commander Gopal Hosur's party and injured the police commander near Rangaswamy Vaddu, M. M. Hills, Karnataka.[19][47] Tamil Nadu government deploys Border Security Force (BSF). Joint operations of BSF and STF arrested 9 gang members and killed 6. Three policemen were killed. Veerappan requested amnesty. Victim's relatives opposed any type of government negotiations. |
| 1994 | Abducted Chidambaranathan, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore and two others.[27] |
| 1995 | In November, kidnapped three forest department officials of Tamil Nadu.[27] |
| 1996 | Killed a police informer. Killed another 19 police personnel. Wounded police official Tamilselvan and killed a constable as revenge for the suicide of Veerappan's brother Arjunan in police custody. |
| 1997 | The gang kidnapped wildlife photographers Senani and Krupakar. Veerappan apparently killed 'Baby Veerappan', a gang member, who had visions to succeed Veerappan.[43] Kidnapped and released other photographers Senani and Krupakar. Kidnapped and executed nine Karnataka forest officials from Burude forests. |
| 1998 | Kidnapped Prof. Krishnasamy, A. S. Mani – editor "Netikan", Payumpuli – reporter and Richard Mohan – photographer. Special Task Force released them after combing operation.[53] |
| 2000 | Kidnapped Kannada film actor Dr. Rajkumar. Released him after 108 days (ransomed). |
| 2002 | Kidnapped and allegedly killed former Karnataka minister H. Nagappa. There are other sources, including police of Karnataka who claims that the bullet in the body of the former minister was from a rifle used by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (possibly the rifle used was stolen from Tamil Nadu task force or crossfire could have caused his death). |
| 18 October 2004 | Killed by Tamil Nadu Special Task Force members at a checkpoint, when the bandit was travelling in an ambulance driven by a disguised policeman.[34] |
Legacy[edit | edit source]
On April 25, 2013, the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Vanniyar Sangam called Veerappan a youth icon at the Vanniyar Youth Cultural Festival at Mamallapuram. The incident was condemned by Jayalalithaa, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.[54]
In media[edit | edit source]
Film and television[edit | edit source]
- Veerappan – a 1991 Indian Kannada-language crime action film by Raveendranath, starring Devaraj in the titular role of the bandit.[55]
- Attahasa – a 2012 Kannada film, is based on Veerappan's life and death. The movie highlights the STF operations on Veerappan, kidnapping of Dr. Rajkumar and ultimately the Operation Cocoon. The film was also dubbed to Telugu and Malayalam in 2013 titled as Veerappan and in Tamil as Vana Yuddham.
- Killing Veerappan – a 2016 Kannada film, written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma based on Operation Cocoon. The film was also released in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam consequently with the same title.
- Veerappan – a 2016 Hindi full length biographical feature film written and directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film was also released in Tamil as Villathi Villan Veerappan.
- Sandhanakaadu – a 2007 Tamil television series aired on Makkal TV, based on Veerappan's life starring Karate Raja as Veerappan.
- The Hunt for Veerappan – A docuseries directed by Selvamani Selvaraj which premiered on Netflix in 4 August 2023.[56]
- Koose Munisamy Veerappan - A documentary series explores the life of Veerappan using footage shot by Nakkeeran Gopal and archived by Nakkheeran.
Books[edit | edit source]
| Title | Author | Language | Translations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veerappan: India's Most Wanted Man | Sunaad Raghuram | English | Marathi: Veerappan: The Untold Story |
| Sereyalli Kaleda Hadinalku Dinagalu | Krupakar & Senani | Kannada | English: Birds, Beasts and Bandits: 14 days with Veerappan |
| Huliya Nenapugalu | B. B. Ashok Kumar | Kannada | English: Memories of Tiger: Hunting Veerappan |
| Veerappan's Prize Catch: Rajkumar | C. Dinakar | English | |
| Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand | K. Vijay Kumar | English | Tamil: Veerappan
Kannada: Veerappan: Dantachorana Bennatti Hindi: Veerappana: Ek Satya Katha Marathi: Veerappan Viruddh Vijay Kumar |
| Veerappan | Nakkeeran Gopal | Tamil | |
| Veerappan Valnthathum Veelnthathum | Sivasubramaniam Periyasamy | Tamil | Veerappan's Saga - Rise and Fall |
| Veerapan Death Warrant | S. K. Umesh | Kannada | |
| Veerapan Blood Warrant | S. K. Umesh | Kannada |
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Karthick, S (14 February 2013). "Farmers turned Veerappan's killer aides". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Singh, Shivani (19 October 2004). "Unravelling an Enigma". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ "Cop who eliminated Veerappan pens book on the forest brigand". India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com. Press Trust of India. 26 January 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 SHARMA, RAVI (18 November 2004). "How he made his pile". Frontline.
- ↑ "The most famous of them all". www.downtoearth.org.in. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ K.G., Kannabiran (2004). The Wages of Impunity: Power, Justice, and Human Rights. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 9788125026389.
- ↑ "India's biggest, costliest manhunt". Rediff.
- ↑ Slater, Candace (1 March 2004). In Search of the Rain Forest. Duke University Press. ISBN 0822385279.
- ↑ Ramachandran Ramesh (6 August 2000). "Caste politics may bail out Veerappan". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Subramanian, T.S. (11 November 2000). "A desperate alliance". Frontline. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Oliver, Mark (19 October 2004). "Death of a 'demon'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ Kumar, M. T. Shiva (26 April 2011). "Muthulakshmi to bring out book on 'police atrocities'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ Illangovan, R (28 September 2011). "Leave us in peace, say Veerappan's daughters". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "Caste politics may bail out Veerappan | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 6 August 2000.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Harding, Luke (5 August 2000). "In the lair of India's asthmatic bandit king". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "How Veerappan was shot dead". The Times of India. 19 October 2004. Archived from the original on 17 April 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ↑ Oliver, Mark (2004). "Death of a 'demon'". The Guardian.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Ilangovan, R. (20 October 2004). "A relieved Gopinatham breathes easy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 November 2004. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 "Veerappan: End of three decades of terror". The Times of India. 19 October 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ↑ Estevez, Benita. Smugglers. R.W.Press. ISBN 978-1-909284-08-1. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Aravind, H M (14 February 2013). "Why Veerappan planned the Palar blast". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Palaniyappan, V. S. (27 January 2003). "STF planning to corner Veerappan near Gopinatham". The Hindu.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "STF tries to lure villagers". The Times of India. 28 January 2003. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Muthulakshmi acquitted in Palar bomb blast case". The Hindu. 17 March 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ "Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi acquitted in actor Rajkumar kidnap case". India Today. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 "'Treasure hunt' for bandit's loot". BBC News. 22 October 2004. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 Ravi, Sharma (5–18 August 2000). "Veerappan's Prize Catch". Frontline Magazine, Chennai. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
- ↑ "I have tried to be as truthful as possible". The Hindu. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Nambath, Suresh (20 October 2004). "Veerappan as "Robin Hood"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 November 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
- ↑ "Govt, not Rajkumar family, paid ransom: Ex-DGP". The Times of India. 22 November 2002. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ Madhusoodan, M.K. "Veerappan -- still calling the shots". newsarchives.indiainfo.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2001. Retrieved 16 July 2001.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Veerappan sends cassette". Express India. 26 August 2002. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ↑ PTI (28 August 2002). "Kerala Police to help STF in operation against Veerappan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 "How Veerappan was shot dead". The Times of India. 19 October 2004. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- ↑ K.T., Sangameswaran (21 October 2004). "'Ransoms' remain a mystery". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 October 2004. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ↑ TNN (19 August 2012). "Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) splits into two parties". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ↑ "Veerappan shot dead". The Hindu. 19 October 2004. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ↑ "Veerappan died 40 mins before stage-managed encounter: Author P Sivasubramaniam". 12 December 2023.
- ↑ "Veerappan ghost returns to haunt Shankar Bidari". 17 March 2012.
- ↑ "Shankar Bidari IPS: Not only Veerappan, but also the killer of Andhra | Police Story | National TV". YouTube. 18 June 2023.
- ↑ Krupakar, Krupakar; Senani, Senani (2011). Birds, Beasts and Bandits: 14 Days with Veerappan. Penguin UK. ISBN 9788184754803.
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 M.B.Maramkal, Bansy Kalappa (20 October 2004). "Veerappan Brigand's last run". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ 43.0 43.1 Nambath, Suresh (31 October 2004). "Jungle Drama". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 November 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
- ↑ "Veerappan killed in fake encounter: activists". The Hindu. 19 January 2005. Retrieved 25 February 2017. [dead link]
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Illangovan, R. (21 October 2004). "Veerappan buried after wrangling". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ↑ "Koose Muniswamy Veerappan: The Bandit King". The Independent. 20 October 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 Subrahmanya, K.V. (20 October 2004). "Police had 15 encounters with brigand". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 November 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ↑ Jafri, S.A. (20 October 2004). "The man who caught Veerappan alive". Reddif India News. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ↑ Mendonca, Allen J.; Gopinath, Kamal (30 August 1992). "Killer on the run". The Indian Express. p. 18.
- ↑ "A Tribute to a Martyr: P.Srinivas" (PDF). mcrhrdi.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ↑ Dinakar, C. (2003). Veerappan's prize catch: Rajkumar. Delhi: Konark Publishers Pvt ltd. p. 145. ISBN 978-81-220-0644-5.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 N. R. Madhava Menon, D. Banerjea (2001). Criminal Justice, India series, Vol.16. Vol. 16. New Delhi: Allied Publishers. pp. 146, 147. ISBN 978-81-7764-519-4.
- ↑ Staff Reporter (29 April 2009). ""Nakeeran" Gopal acquitted". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ↑ "PMK projects Veerappan as icon, Jaya fumes | Deccan Herald -". 30 April 2013.
- ↑ "Devaraj was the first to do Veerappan's role". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ↑ "ವೀರಪ್ಪನ್ ಡಾಕ್ಯುಮೆಂಟರಿ ಟೀಸರ್ ಔಟ್!". Vistara News. 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
External links[edit | edit source]
- The Veerappan Saga Rediff.com. 14 July 1997 – 20 October 2004.
- Veerappan on IMDb