Vidarbha, Gadchiroli, India: A Naxalite couple with a combined bounty of ₹10 lakh surrendered to security forces in Gadchiroli district on October 14.

Varun Raja Muchaki, also known as Unga (27), and Roshani Vijya Wachami (24) turned themselves in to the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), according to a statement from the office of Superintendent of Police Neelotpal. Unga had been the commander of the Bhamragadh Local Organization Squad (LOS), while Wachami was also a member of the same group.

Police reported that Unga is linked to 15 criminal cases, including 10 encounters, and had a bounty of ₹8 lakh on his head. Wachami is involved in 23 cases, including 13 encounters, with a reward of ₹2 lakh. Under the government’s rehabilitation policy, the couple will receive ₹11.5 lakh.

Varun, originally from Chhattisgarh, and Roshani, from Bhamragad tehsil in Gadchiroli district, developed a relationship during their training. They decided to marry, but since living a married life within the Naxal movement was not possible, they chose to leave it.

Police also stated that at least 27 hardcore Maoists have surrendered to the Gadchiroli police since 2022 due to intensified anti-Maoist operations.