Vinod Gowda was an Indian Maoist commander and member of Communist Party of India (Maoist). He was involved in left wing extremist activities across south india region.[1]
| Birth Date: | 1978 |
| Birth Place: | Hebri, Karnataka, India |
| Death Place: | Karnataka, India |
| Death Cause: | Shootout with Anti-naxal squad |
| Organization: | Communist Party of India (Maoist) |
| Known For: | Leader of Nadukani dalam |
| Criminal Charge: | Left wing extremism, Murder, Criminal Conspiracy |
| Criminal Status: | Killed in Encounter |
Vikram Gowda belongs to the Malekudiya tribal community Hebri taluk in Udupi district, Karnataka.He dropped out of school at class 4th and worked as a waiter in Mumbai in most of teenage life.
His parents are Venkayya Gowda and Gulabi Gowda, he was the eldest of four siblings in his family.[2]
He returned back to his village in 1990s and actively participated in protests against the Kudremukh National park formation which will lead to many tribal families including his being evicted of their land.
He began in his Maoist career from 1998 initially as a supply courier person but quickly rose through ranks of the group. From 2003 he became the leader of the Nadukani dalam, a group of maoists active in the forests of Kerala, Tamil nadu and Karnataka, and had a series of crimes including extortion, murder and looting.
He had 114 cases pending against him, including 3 murder cases and had a total bounty of ₹5,50,000 in Kerala and Karnataka.[3]
He was killed in an encounter with Anti-naxal squad on 18th November, 2024 in Udupi district, Karnataka.[4]