The Citizens’ Initiative for Peace, Bengaluru, has urged the Karnataka government to immediately initiate steps to secure the relocation of surrendered Maoist Kotehonda Ravindra, who is currently “seriously ill” and is being treated in an Intensive Care Unit.
K.P. Sripal, an advocate who was among those who mediated the surrender of Maoists and their return to the mainstream last year, said Mr. Ravindra was lodged in a Keralam prison in connection with a National Investigation Agency case. He said Mr. Ravindra had staged a protest while in a Bengaluru prison and went on a hunger strike. “He also suffered a stroke. He would not even meet people who visited him in prison. Subsequently, special arrangements were made for his family to meet him in prison,” he said. Months later, he was taken to Keralam.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group said that Mr. Ravindra's health has deteriorated badly and that he is currently in the ICU. It further alleged that the State government had failed to fulfil its assurances made during their surrender regarding the release and rehabilitation.
On January 8, 2025, six Maoists, excluding Mr. Ravindra, surrendered in the presence of then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru. Days later, in February 2025, Mr. Ravindra also surrendered and returned to the mainstream. However, 20 months later, after the now Chief Minister came to power, the surrendered Maoists are still awaiting the fulfilment of the government’s assurances that they would be rehabilitated and allowed to reintegrate into society.
The group has urged the State government to coordinate with the Keralam government to expedite the disposal of cases registered against Mr. Ravindra there. It also called for legal assistance, access to medical treatment and family visits, along with transparency regarding his health condition.
The group said that the government must honour its commitments to other surrendered Maoists and take steps to ensure their rehabilitation.
Published - October 13, 2026 09:40 pm IST