Notorious outlaw killed
The week's news at a glance.
Madras, India
India’s most-wanted criminal, the mustachioed murderer who allegedly chopped some of his rivals into pieces before tossing them into rivers, was killed this week in a shootout with special forces. Koose Muniswamy Veerappan, 60, had been on the run since the 1960s. At first, he was suspected of slaughtering elephants for the illegal ivory trade. Over the decades, he was linked to dozens of crimes, including the brutal murders of several police officers and informants. Though state governments spent nearly $38 million hunting him, he eluded them with the help of sympathetic peasants. But in 2000, even those who had seen Veerappan as a dashing Robin Hood figure turned against him after he kidnapped an elderly Bollywood movie star. Many have alleged that Veerappan escaped justice for so long because he had friends in high places. “If they had caught him alive,” said retired police officer Abdul Kareem, “lots of secrets would have tumbled out.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses realistic?
Talking Points A transit innovation or a costly mistake
-
5 side hustle ideas to supplement your budget
the explainer Almost two-thirds of Americans are looking to get a second job in the next year
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser