Five associates of forest brigand Veerappan were sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court on charges of abducting nine forest officials of Tamil Nadu in July 1997.
The five who were sentenced by Judge P J Bhopiah at Chamarajnagar included a woman, Kumbi, the wife of accused Topi Siddu.
The prosecution had alleged the officials were kidnapped by Veerappan, who was shot dead two years ago, and his associates and held hostage for 43 days before being released.