Who Is Veerappan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on January 18, 1952, Veerappan was an infamous Indian bandit known for his activities in the forests of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He was involved in various criminal activities, including sandalwood smuggling and poaching. With a history that spans several decades, Veerappan became a highly sought-after figure by law enforcement until his death on October 18, 2004. His life story has been a subject of countless documentaries, books, and films.
As of 2025, if Veerappan were still alive, he would be 73 years old.
| Occupation | Criminals |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 18, 1952 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Gopinatham, Kollegalam Taluk, Undivided Coimbatore District (former Coimbatore District (Madras Presidency)), Madras State, India (modern-day Karnataka) |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 18 October, 2004 |
| Died Place | Papparapatti, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India |
Popularity
Veerappan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Veerappan's physical measurements are not extensively documented, his imposing stature has been noted throughout his life. He was reported to be around 6 feet tall and maintained a heavy, muscular build that contributed to his reputation as a formidable figure in the forests.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Veerappan was married to Muthulakshmi, who played a significant role in his life. The couple had children together, although details about their family dynamics remain scarce. Veerappan's relationships were often characterized by secrecy due to his criminal lifestyle, making public insights limited.
As he is subject to history, discussions around his romantic life have mostly revolved around his marriage rather than any contemporary dating scenarios.
Through these operations, under charge of Sanjay Arora and Shankar Bidari, the gang was reduced to 5 members. Meetings with Gopinatham villagers were held, and the 5-crore bounty was announced. In 1993, the task force arrested Veerappan's wife, Muthulakshmi, and charged her with aiding, but she was acquitted of all charges.
Net Worth and Salary
At the height of his criminal career, Veerappan's net worth was estimated in the millions, primarily due to his lucrative sandalwood smuggling business. However, exact figures remain elusive. By 2004, estimates suggested his operations generated substantial income, but constant evasion and law enforcement pressure meant that keeping assets under control was challenging.
As he operated outside the law, official salary records do not exist, but his wealth was believed to stem from illegal trade and extortion, providing a comfortable (if criminal) lifestyle until his demise.
Career, Business and Investments
Veerappan's notoriety arose from his illegal operations in sandalwood and wildlife trafficking. Besides smuggling sandalwood, he was also heavily involved in poaching elephants for ivory. His evasive tactics and profound knowledge of the forests made him a difficult target for law enforcement.
While he had no formal business investments, Veerappan's criminal empire functioned as an intricate network, wherein he derived profits from his various illegal activities. His activities fundamentally impacted the regions he operated in, leading to environmental discussions regarding poaching and deforestation.
Veerappan began his criminal career by assisting his uncle Saalvai Gounder, a notorious poacher and sandalwood smuggler. Veerappan initially worked as a sandalwood and ivory smuggler, killing elephants for their tusks. He later broke away from his uncle.
Over the next 25 years, Veerappan and other poachers together killed 2,000 to 3,000 elephants, with Veerappan and his gang responsible for approximately 500 of them. He was first arrested in 1972.
Social Network
Due to his notoriety, Veerappan maintained a network of contacts within the criminal underworld but avoided association with conventional social networks. However, his legend persists on various social media platforms and discussion forums, where enthusiasts and historians analyze his life.
On sites like Wikipedia and YouTube, one can find a wealth of information regarding Veerappan, including documentaries and podcasts that recount his life and impact on Indian society.
Banned organisations like the Tamil National Retrieval Troops (TNRT) and Tamil Nadu Liberation Army helped Veerappan to secure a Robin Hood image and to draft terms of negotiations when he kidnapped prominent people.
Kolathur Mani, president of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam, formerly the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) party, was arrested and brought to trial as an accomplice in several of Veerappan's crimes, although later acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Education
Details surrounding Veerappan's formal education are scant. Reports suggest that he was not particularly formal in his schooling but demonstrated awareness of his surroundings and a keen understanding of the forest environment.
In conclusion, while Veerappan's life came to an end in 2004, the intrigue surrounding his story continues to evoke discussions regarding crime, socio-economic factors, and the complexities of human behaviour.
