The Hindu : 'Nagappa was not blindfolded'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 12, 2002

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'Nagappa was not blindfolded'

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE DEC. 11. The post-mortem report on the former Karnataka Minister, H. Nagappa's body has indicated that a bullet fired from a rifle from a distance of 15 to 20 feet had caused his death.

The report submitted by the Chief Forensic expert of K.R. Hospital to the Investigating Officer today states that the bullet had entered the left side of his chest, tearing the lungs and heart, before exiting at the tenth rib level in the back. It, however, is silent on the type of weapon used.

The exact weapon from which the bullet had been fired could be ascertained only by ballistic experts.

The measurement of the wound would determine the type of weapons used, forensic experts said.

The report said the body bore no wound barring a minor injury on the left palm, which could have taken place due to the scraping of the bullet.

It also said that Nagappa was neither blindfolded nor were his hands tied before he was shot.

"He could have anticipated the bullet and tried to block it with his hand as the injury on the left palm suggests.''

Another significant aspect of the report is that the body bore no signs of being scavenged by wild animals or birds though it lied in the forests for four days. The death had occurred four to five days before the post-mortem was conducted.

The post-mortem was conducted on Monday, a day after the body was recovered from the Chengadi forest area on Sunday.

As per the report, Nagappa's death could have occurred either on the previous Wednesday or Thursday.

``The absence of any signs of attack by wild animals or birds on the body for four to five days raises doubts whether the body was guarded by humans.''

PTI reports:

The diary of Nagappa which the Karnataka Special Task Force personnel stumbled upon in the forests revealed that Veerappan changed location 34 times, according to STF sources.

Nagappa also noted that the brigand never allowed him to go for a walk or jog but made him sit all the time.

A fairness cream and hair dye were also found at the spot.

Nagappa also noted in the diary that the bandit did not provide breakfast, only lunch and dinner.

Some medicines, clothes used by Nagappa and mosquito repellant were also found at the spot.

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