The Supreme Court on Thursday converted the life sentence awarded by a special TADA court in Karnataka to four members of forest brigand Veerappan's gang to death penalty for killing 21 persons and injuring 14 others in a landmine blast in April 1993.

A Division Bench of Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice B N Agrawal dismissed the convicts' appeals against the special TADA court's order.

The four convicts are: Simon, Gnana Prakash, Madhiah and Bilavendra.

The State of Karnataka had sought enhancement of their punishment.

The bus blown up by the gang was carrying police personnel and informers. Fourteen people were injured in the blast.