Former top Maoist commander Devji clears intermediate, set to join law course in Telangana
Months after laying down arms, A Thirupathi alias Devji has not just passed the intermediate but scored 72 marks in the Telugu language. Devji who secured 349th rank in TG LAWCET is set to take up a five-year law degree programme.
Hyderabad: From decades of guerrilla warfare to legal education, A Thirupathi alias Devji who excelled in the intermediate examinations is set to join a five-year law degree programme this academic year.
Months after laying down arms, the 63-year-old former top Maoist commander has not just passed the intermediate examination but also scored 72 out of 100 marks in Telugu language. In fact, he secured 349th rank in the Telangana Law Common Entrance Test (TG LAWCET) 2026 for a five-year law degree course. He is expected to secure a seat in a good college.
Speaking to ‘Telangana Today’, an elated Thirupathi said his Government Junior College Korutla lecturers guided him during his preparation for the intermediate examination.
“Despite limited time for preparation, I could excel in the examination. In fact, I expected 75 marks,” he shared.
Devji, who pursued intermediate with MPC from the Government Junior College in Korutla, failed to clear the second language – Telugu in the intermediate exams held in March 1983. However, he had secured good marks in English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry subjects.
With plans to take up legal education, the former Maoist commander approached the Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University requesting admission to a degree programme. Since the university mandates a minimum of intermediate, diploma or ITI qualification for degree admission, he was asked to approach the TGBIE.
After moving an application seeking permission to appear for the backlog paper, the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education granted special permission to Devji to sit for the Telugu exam, which was conducted on May 13.
With intermediate education cleared, Thirupathi has now decided to pursue a five-year law programme.
“I only prepared for two days for TG LAWCET. My prior general and political knowledge helped me in the examination. If I had more time to prepare, I would have secured a rank under 50. I want to gain in-depth knowledge about the legal framework and contribute to pro-people rights,” he added.
A native of Karimnagar district, Devji, along with 16 others, including a few high-profile leaders, surrendered to Telangana Police in February this year. He had carried a reward of Rs. 25 lakh in Telangana.
