The mystery surrounding the release of Rajkumar, the Kannada film star, has given riseto many disconcerting questions about the role of the granite quarry mafia in the entirekidnap drama. This mafia has a dominating presence in the MM Hills and theSatyamangalam forest and enjoys a mutuallybeneficial relationship with Veerappan and his men, who have a virtual run of the area.Already, Bangalore is rife with speculation that the souring of ties between the granitelobby and Veerappan was a prime factor in Rajkumar’s kidnapping.