SI Siddaraja Nayak was to retire from service on May 31

Chamarajanagar: Siddaraja Nayak (59), a Sub-Inspector attached to Chamarajanagar City Police Station, who had survived the deadly attack by the slain forest brigand Veerappan in 1992, passed away yesterday following a heart attack.

Siddaraja, who complained of severe chest pain at his residence on Tuesday afternoon, was being rushed to a hospital, where he breathed his last mid way. He was to retire on May 31.

Siddaraja Nayak, who was a part of the Police team, constituted to nab slain poacher Veerappan, had escaped the attack from Veerappan and his gang, when they rained bullets on the Police team comprising SP Harikrishna and Sub-Inspector Shakeel Ahmed in 1992.

During the gun battle, Siddaraja Nayak received seven bullets which had pierced into his body. Though four bullets were removed through surgery, three bullets were still lodged in his body. Last year, he had worked for 75 days as a Corona Warrior without taking a leave.

The body was kept in the grounds at the premises of the Office of the Superintendent of Police for the staff to pay their last respects. 

SP Divya Sara Thomas, Additional SP Anitha Huddannavar, Dy.SP Priyadarshini Sankekoppa, Circle Inspector Mahesh and other officials paid their last respects.