A dreaded name in the forests of South India, one that made governments tremble. Over 100 murders, the poaching of 2,000 elephants, and sandalwood smuggling worth ₹140 crore (approximately $1.4 billion) were blamed for Veerappan's brutality in the 1990s, including the beheading of an IFS officer, playing football with him, and strangling his own infant daughter to escape the police. Learn the full story of the family of the sandalwood smuggler who wielded an empire of fear for decades, and how he met his end.

Who is left in Veerappan's family?

Two decades have passed since the dreaded sandalwood smuggler Veerappan's reign of terror ended in the dense forests of Satyamangalam on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. But do you know what his family is like now? Which political party does one of his daughters support? What is his other daughter doing after studying law? How is his wife, Muthulakshmi, living her life after being released from prison? A name that would make police uniforms sweat in the 1990s, Muniswamy Veerappan wasn't just a name, but a synonym for fear in the forests of South India, challenging Indian law and order for three decades. His long, curled moustache, SLR rifle on his shoulder, and ruthlessness in his eyes were his hallmarks.

Even today, when the wind blows through the forests of Chamarajnagar or Erode, people shudder at the memory of Veerappan's exploits, where he crossed all limits of cruelty. Sandalwood smuggler Koose Muniswamy Veerappan, who ran a parallel government in the forests of South India for decades, was killed in Operation Cocoon on October 18, 2004. After Veerappan's death, a major question was whether his family would follow in his footsteps or join the mainstream. Today, nearly 22 years after Veerappan's death, the picture of his family has completely changed. The same Veerappan who defied the law with his gun has now emerged as protectors of the law and part of democracy.

From prison bars to the corridors of politics

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Veerappan's wife Muthulakshmi's story has been filled with struggle and controversy. She was only 15 years old when she married Veerappan in 1990. After marriage, Muthulakshmi had to live with Veerappan in the forests and endure police torture. After Veerappan's death, Muthulakshmi faced numerous trials and spent years in prisons in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. After her release from prison in 2011, Muthulakshmi attempted to carve out a distinct identity for herself. She attempted to contest assembly elections several times, but was unsuccessful.

What are Veerappan's daughters doing?

Veerappan's elder daughter, Vidya Rani, is today a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu politics. Vidya Rani has completely distanced herself from her father's horrific past. She studied law and is a lawyer by profession. In February 2020, Vidya Rani made headlines when she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. After joining the BJP, she was appointed vice-president of the party's state youth wing.

What is the younger daughter doing?

Veerappan's younger daughter, Prabha, is as educated and knowledgeable as her elder sister. Prabha also studied law. However, she prefers to stay away from the media and the limelight. Recently, she came into the spotlight when she objected to the production of a documentary based on her father Veerappan's life. Prabha wants her family's past not to be misrepresented for commercial gain. She is currently busy with her legal practice and caring for her family.

Brother dies after spending 32 years in jail

Veerappan also had a brother, Madhayan, who was considered part of his gang. Madhayan spent 32 years behind bars. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for the murder of a forest officer and other crimes. He was imprisoned in Mysore jail. After a long imprisonment, he died of a heart attack in May 2022.

Veerappan was born on January 18, 1952, in Gopinatham village, Kollegal taluk, Karnataka. He came from a humble background, but was well versed in the ins and outs of the jungle. At the age of 17, he killed his first elephant. Gradually, this hobby of hunting blossomed into a dangerous business. During his lifetime, Veerappan hunted over 2,000 elephants to sell their tusks. He then began smuggling red sandalwood. It is estimated that he smuggled sandalwood worth over ₹140 crore (approximately $1.4 billion). But he wasn't just after money; he wanted to build an empire of power and fear.

When an officer's head was cut off and football was played

The most horrific chapter of Veerappan's brutality was written in 1991. P. Srinivas, a brave Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, proved to be Veerappan's death. Srinivas chose the path of faith instead of a gun to capture Veerappan. He built a temple in Veerappan's village and helped the people so that he would surrender. Veerappan saw this not as a weakness but as an opportunity. He tricked Srinivas into believing he wanted to surrender and invited him to meet him alone in the forest. As soon as Srinivas arrived, Veerappan and his henchmen captured him. Veerappan not only killed Srinivas, but what he did to his body was a disgrace to humanity. He beheaded Srinivas and took it to his home. It is said that Veerappan's gang members played football with the severed head.

He sacrificed his own daughter

Veerappan's cruelty can be gauged from the fact that he refused to spare his own children for his own selfish reasons. Once, police and Special Task Force teams surrounded Veerappan. He was hiding in the forest with his wife Muthulakshmi and their newborn daughter. Suddenly, the child began crying loudly. Veerappan feared that the police would reach them upon hearing the child's cries. To save his own life, the monster strangled his own infant daughter to death. He killed his daughter solely to prevent his own location from being exposed.

To capture Veerappan, governments formed a Special Task Force (STF) and spent crores of rupees. In 2004, Operation Cocoon was launched under the leadership of IPS officer Vijay Kumar. Police learned that Veerappan had an eye problem and was about to come out of the jungle for treatment. Police used an ambulance as a trap. Veerappan was killed in an encounter near Dharmapuri on October 18, 2004.

 PC:News18