Who was veerappan?

Veerappan was a notorious Indian bandit and poacher, active primarily in the forests of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka from the late 20th century until his death in 2004. He gained infamy for his involvement in smuggling sandalwood and ivory, as well as for his violent confrontations with law enforcement. Veerappan's criminal activities and evasion of capture for decades made him a legendary figure in Indian folklore and media. He was ultimately killed in a police encounter in October 2004.