Indian Actor Abducted by Bandit Is Freed
A notorious bandit has released a popular Indian film star who was kidnapped more than three months ago, news agencies reported Wednesday.
The bandit, Veerappan, a poacher and smuggler who is also a suspect in scores of murder cases, kidnapped movie icon Rajkumar and three others from the actor’s home in southern India on July 30.
There were no immediate details about how Rajkumar, 72, was freed. The actor was freed late Tuesday after months of negotiations and an attempt to free 51 of Veerappan’s accomplices in return for Rajkumar’s safety, India’s news agencies reported.
The Supreme Court on Nov. 7 blocked the state governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka from releasing the convicts, sentenced for murder, sandalwood smuggling and poaching.
The kidnapping of Rajkumar had sparked violent strikes in the region, as people demanded quick government action to help free him.
Veerappan, 56, is wanted in the two states for 130 murders, the slaughter of 2,000 elephants and the smuggling of ivory and sandalwood.
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