Five Associates of late Veerappan get life imprisonmet

Mysore, June 22 (UNI) Five associates of forest brigand late Veerappan were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Fast Track Court today for their involvement in the adduction of nine forest employees in 1998.

Judge Bopaiah in his judgment sentenced Thangarajan, Anubraj, Appuswamy, Thukakisidda and his wife Kumbe to life imprisonment.

All the convicted were under judicial custody for the last seven years.

The convicted had kidnapped forest officials working in Gondal Forest area on July 12, 1997 while construction of a bridge. Later the forest brigand had sent a cassette to the Chief Minister and Forest Minister threatening to kill all the kidnapped if cases against him were not withdrawn and also demanded money for their release.

However, the kidnapped employees were released after 43 days following intervention of Tamil Magazine Nakeeran Editor R R Gopal.

Advocate Satyanarayana appeared for the government.

UNI BSP MSP MIR PC2221