Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Poacher 'Mini Veerappan' arrested in tiger killing case
A man named Govinda, also known as 'Mini Veerappan', was caught by forest officials at a train station in Mysuru.
He was wanted for killing a tiger in a forest in Karnataka, India.
The tiger was poisoned and cut into pieces to hide the evidence.
Govinda had been running from the police for over five years.
He is known for his involvement in many wildlife crimes and was hard to catch because he kept moving around.
Five other people were also caught for this crime but were later released on bail.
The police are still investigating to find out if Govinda was involved in other crimes.
Govinda, aka 'Mini Veerappan', was arrested at Mysuru railway station for a 2025 tiger poaching case.
The tiger was poisoned with carbofuran and its carcass was chopped and dumped to destroy evidence.
Five other accused were arrested and later granted bail by the Kollegal JMFC court.
Govinda evaded capture for over five years, using various tactics to avoid detection.
Authorities are investigating his role in other wildlife crimes and identifying additional members of the poaching network.
- Who
- Govinda (Mini Veerappan) and five other accused
- What
- Poaching and killing of a tiger
- When
- October 2025 (crime), 2023 (arrest)
- Where
- Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
- Why
- Retaliation for the tiger allegedly killing cattle
- Main Accused
- Govinda (Mini Veerappan)
- Crime Location
- Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamarajanagar district
- Crime Date
- October 2025
- Method of Killing
- Poisoned with carbofuran
- Arrest Location
- Mysuru Railway Station
- Other Accused
- Pachamalle, Siddu, Sampu, Chandu, Abhishek (granted bail)
- Evasion Duration
- Over 5 years