{
  "id": 5101491,
  "title": "Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupati: From dreaded Maoist to Gondwana University coordinator in Gadchiroli",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/mallojula-venugopal-rao-alias-bhupati-from-dreaded-maoist-to-gondwana",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T14:20:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/from-dreaded-maoist-to-gondwana-university-coordinator-in-gadchiroli/article71419656.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Bhupati alias Abhay, alias Mallojula Venugopal, alias Sonu, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once a notorious Maoist with a ₹6 crore bounty on his head, he now resides in Gadchiroli as a coordinator at a Village Council Capacity Building and Training Centre at Gondwana University. This 70-year-old man, who surrendered to the Maharashtra Police less than a year ago, now aims to bring awareness to tribal communities about their rights, particularly under forest-related legislations like the PESA. Despite his past as a feared Maoist leader, he remains staunchly committed to the cause of tribals, expressing his desire to live in his native village and live without government surveillance.",
  "summary": "After Maoist surrender, Bhupathi turns to tribal rights and Gram Sabha work in Gadchiroli, says ‘conflicts will remain till there there is no radical changes and rehabilitation’",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Maoist Bhupati now Gondwana University coordinator in Gadchiroli.",
    "70-year-old surrendered to Maharashtra Police less than a year ago.",
    "Dedicated to tribal rights awareness, particularly PESA legislations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}