Bangalore: The Karnataka government on November 27 categorically declared that it would not pay any ransom in efforts to secure the release of Janata Dal – United (JD- U) leader Nagappa from forest brigand Veerappan.

"We will not give it (ransom)," Karnataka security adviser T Srinivasulu told reporters while refuting a series of allegations made against him by former Karnataka DGP C Dinakar, who has alleged payment of Rs 20 crore ransom in his book "Veerappan's Prize Catch: Rajkumar".

Srinivasulu said Veerappan had made no demand for ransom and had only asked for a "particular emissary" (jailed Tamil activist Kolathur Mani) and "then he will indicate what his demand is".

Srinivasulu said, "We have all totally failed in catching Veerappan. We have no face to show to anybody."

The Special Task Force, he said, had done a "wonderful work" but in spite of it, the operation has been "jinxed".

PTI