“I am not repentant of killing more than 10 people in the past as I killed them because they were exploiting the poor and the common people were victimised by their atrocities,” says Bapu Biru Vategaonkar, known for his Robin Hood image among the locals. He was once upon a time a dacoit in Sangli district and is guilty of sending over 10 people to their graves. The 81-year-old went underground for 23 years, was finally arrested in 1983, served time in various jails for his crimes and was released in 2004.

Redeeming the past: Bapu Biru Vategaonkar at his home in Borgaon village in Sangli district, where he delivers religious discourses. Pic/Hansraj Patil