BANGALORE, Nov 22: A former Indian police chief claimed on Friday a state government paid a 200-million-rupee ransom to a bandit to secure the release of a movie star.

C. Dinakar, who headed the southern Karnataka state’s police department two years ago when bandit Muniswamy Veerappan kidnapped actor Rajkumar, revealed in a book the state’s chief minister had also spoken with the bandit over a mobile phone.

“The book is based entirely on fact,” Dinakar, who said he had defied threats to make his claims, said.

“I would not publish anything irresponsible. I was a police officer for 38 years.”

The claims are likely to further embarass Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, who has repeatedly denied a ransom was paid.

Krishna is currently in the thick of another hostage crisis involving a former minister and Veerappan, India’s most wanted bandit.

Dinakar said the ransom was paid in four instalments to Veerappan, who held Rajkumar in captivity for 108 days in a kidnapping that catapulted him to world notoriety.

Veerappan, who is wanted for more than 100 murders as well as elephant poaching, operates in the border jungles of Karnataka and adjoining Tamil Nadu state.

The two states have set up a special police unit in a bid to nab the elusive bandit.

Dinakar said police in Tamil Nadu had investigating records and details to back up his charges.

Giving a blow-by-blow account of the hostage drama and how the ransom was paid, Dinakar, in his book “Veerappan’s Prize Catch: Rajkumar”, said that in one instance 50 million rupees was paid to the bandit’s contact through Krishna’s son-in-law.

Explaining his reasons for publicising his claims, Dinakar said people had the right to know how their government discharged their duties.

“They say ransom was not paid. It is rubbish and not true. I thought people have the right to know what is the truth,” said Dinakar.

He said when he took the decision to write the book, which was made public through an interview in a national daily, he had received death threats.

“They said they will finish me off. I am 62 years old now. In India life expectency is 60 years and every additional year is God’s bonus,” he said. “I am ready to face any consequences.”

Later Friday Dinakar met the Karnataka governor and demanded police protection arguing he faced a threat from “rowdies.”

“I have also urged the governor to protect my property,” he said.—AFP