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Ransom or revenge? Why did Veerappan abduct former Karnataka minister?

Why did Veerappan abduct former Karnataka minister H Nagappa? Could it be be an attempt by the brigand to secure the release of Kollutoor Mani, Sivasubramanyam and Nedumaran from the Tamil Nadu police's custody?

The other possibility could be settling an old feud with Nagappa. During his tenure in J H Patel's Janata Dal government, Nagappa had worked for Veerappan's arrest, cutting the sandalwood smuggler's forces to a minimum. Nagappa, it is said, disapproved of Veerappan's support for his rival Raju Gowda. Not a day passes in Hanur where supporters of both men do not clash.

Another reason may be paucity of funds. After abducting Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajakumar, Veerappan is alleged to have collected several crore rupees as ransom. Most of that money was later recovered by Kempaiah, then head of the Karnataka Special Task Force. This may have left Veerappan without enough funds to survive, and hence the Nagappa abduction.

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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