Report by: Khairunisa Programme: Special Correspondent Telecast: Saturday (Aug 16) at 9:30 pm Thursday (Aug 21) at 4:30 pm He has more than 100 murders to his credit, and 2,000 elephants. He has smuggled 88,000 pounds of ivory and sandalwood worth millions of rupees. He has kidnapped high-profile VIPs like ex-minister Nagappa and superstar Rajkumar. He has not one, not two, but three state governments trailing him. Senior IAS and IPS officers, even Army personnel have been losing sleep over him. He is a journalist`s delight (and now Ramgopal Verma`s too!).
Meet Veerappan, the man who has nearly become invincibility personified. For almost four decades now, Veerappan has kept Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala Police on their toes. This most elusive brigand of the country has defied all the norms of Government and has kept the system under his thumb`s rule.

In June this year, Karnataka Government advised VVIPs of the state to avoid passing through Chamrajnagar and Mandya districts. Under any inevitable circumstances, if they have to travel through Veerappan`s empire, they are requested to be under special security. Even foreigners wishing to tour Karnataka have been cautioned against visiting these two districts The past records confirm that July and August are the two months when Veerappan`s devoir is at his best!
In this episode of "Special Correspondent", our correspondent Khairunisa takes a round in Veerppan`s territory and explores why the most-wanted criminal of India with the highest reward on his head (of Rs 5.5 crores!) has been out of bound despite innumerable Special Task Force operations.
Khairunisa started her journey from Mandya`s Kaveri Fishing camp. An eerie silence permeates through the place. Once frequently visited by foreigners, the fishing camp has now been converted into a Police camp.
Mandya, and then Kolegal... The thick layer of check posts is the only evidence of Veerppan`s terror. And the terror is not confined to these obscure districts surrounded by thick jungles only. Even VIPs staying in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, are not spared.
The STF operation team seems to be getting impatient now. It has been 13 years, and crores of rupees have been spent over the operation. But Veerappan has managed to pooh-pooh the run.
There are informers like Natraj, and thanks to his observation and courage, police could nab a number of Veerappan`s close associates. In return, Natraj has lost his job and has taken refuge at his sister`s place. He has been wanting to join the police force, and speaks of his crusade against Veerappan with enthusiasm. If only it was that simple a task...
So who will speak against Veerappan now? Not the commoner. He becomes a victim of bilateral torture. Not the police. Despite being equipped with the best of arms and means of communication, their efforts have been futile. And surely not the politico. They lack the will.
As a consequence, the chase goes on, and the Veerappan saga as well...