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The Rediff Interview/Karnataka DGP C Dinakar

'There was no political will to catch Veerappan'

When former Karnataka chief minister J H Patel wanted to appoint a director general of police, he threw seniority to the winds and plumped for the pliable Srinivasulu. Government officials were hardly surprised when the upright, outspoken C Dinakar was ignored for the top job.

Dinakar spent three and a half years fighting a court battle for justice. He did not engage a lawyer, arguing his case himself. Three court judgments went in his favour, with a judge even remarking that the Patel government had appointed the wrong person. Today, Dinakar is highly respected for his uprightness.

In a candid interview with Roving Editor Ramesh Menon in Bangalore, the Karnataka police chief spoke his mind. It is bound to raise some hackles. Some excerpts:

To begin with, a fundamental question. Can Veerappan be nabbed?

Of course it is possible. But we have failed to nab him.

Why?

There has been no proper co-ordination. There has also been a wrong selection of officers to execute the task.

That is amazing.

We had one officer called K U Shetty who used to take the press with him into the forests. Then he would announce to them which area and which village he would be raiding tomorrow. Do you think Veerappan would wait to be nabbed in that particular village?

Something could have been done to correct such a situation.

Officers who could deliver were not encouraged.

Veerappan was caught once by the police. What happened?

Veerappan was caught by the police and was in custody at Chamrajanagar in 1986, but was allowed to escape. I suspect that was done for monetary considerations.

What happened to the police then?

Nothing. An inquiry was held, but as most inquiries go, nothing happened. The officer who was responsible for the escape is still around.

Is it possible for the government in the near future to get Veerappan?

Human effort to do anything can succeed. If man can climb Mount Everest, is catching Veerappan not possible? What we need is a sincere, co-ordinated and result-oriented effort.

Why is there no political will to get him?

He belongs to the Padayachi caste, which can tilt the electoral balance in many constituencies of Tamil Nadu.

But do they not see him as a criminal?

Just as dacoits in the Chambal were worshipped, so also he is seen as a do-gooder. He helps the locals by paying for their marriages, renovating temples, helping poor people, getting a poor widow a square meal, and so on. He has actually used his ill-gotten wealth to create an image for himself. Then, there is another reason. Everybody is afraid of him.

What will you say is a major hurdle?

No vehicle can go into the terrain that he operates in. Most of the time he is on the higher reaches and can see any police movement. It gives him enough time to escape.

What do you think of the governments of both states buckling under and virtually prostrating before Veerappan?

(Silence. Starts signing his files.)

Why was Veerappan not nabbed all these years?

There was no political will at all. During J H Patel's time, he was just not interested in nabbing him. He gave candid interviews saying there was nothing wrong with wine and women. This showed the moral depths into which the government sank. What can you expect of such a government? There are good officers, but they are dumped or put away into the attic and yes-men are appointed. Naturally, they cannot deliver.

How do you feel about it all?

In 1992, when Bangarappa was the chief minister, I offered to go and get Veerappan. My offer was not accepted as Bangarappa was holding a backward-class badge, which he wanted the world to see. As Veerappan is from a backward class, his sympathies lay with Veerappan.

What is the solution now?

The solution is to get Rajakumar back. This is a different situation from, say, the Entebbe operation. They knew the place where the plane was. When they decided to storm the plane and rescue the hostages, they were prepared for 25 per cent casualties. Suppose we raid the forest, the casualty could be Rajakumar. Even before we reach the area he is in, Veerappan may kill all the hostages and run. Catching Veerappan is a task. Getting Rajakumar is another task, but this definitely has priority. We just cannot use force now.

The Rediff Interviews

The Rajakumar Abduction: The full coverage

The Veerappan saga

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