Choudwar: A 28-year-old dreaded criminal was arrested following an exchange of fire with a joint team of Choudwar police and special squad from Cuttack here, Sunday.
Ajay Sahoo alias Jitu— a resident of Aparna Nagar under Chauliaganj police limits here, who is also the prime accused in the firing and loot incident on the deserted stretch connecting Madhusudan Nagar and national highway 55, September 24— has sustained gunshots in his right leg in an encounter with cops and subsequently has been taken into custody, a police official said.
A 9mm country pistol, a mouser, a live bullet and a motorcycle without registration plate have been recovered from him, the official said, adding that the accused has more than 15 criminal cases pending against him with Dhenkanal, Salipur, Badamba, Barang, Athagarh and Kendrapara police.
According to the case details, it was around 10pm September 24 when Lalit, along with his family, was on his way to Dhenkanal in a four-wheeler after returning from Puri.
“Four miscreants waylaid Lalit near Nuapatna Rice Mill and snatched away a gold chain and a wallet containing cash from one of his family members. Upon facing resistance from Lalit, they opened fire at Lalit. Later, a critically injured Lalit was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack where he succumbed to the gunshots.
On the basis of a complaint lodged by Lalit’s family, Choudwar police registered a case (343/19) and launched a manhunt.
During the probe, police claimed to have found Jitu’s involvement in the case.
On specific inputs about Jitu’s presence at a deserted farmhouse in Gahanda forests on Tangi-Kapilash Road, Choudwar inspector in-charge (IIC) Padmanava Pradhan and officials of special squad from Cuttack raided the farmhouse.
Sensing threat, Jitu, however, fled the farmhouse though unsuccessfully.
“Upon spotting us, Jitu fled on a motorbike without a registration plate. However, after a few kilometres, he opened fire on us. We too opened fire in self defence. Jitu sustained gunshots on his right leg and fell off the vehicle,” said an official.
A profusely bleeding Jitu was rushed to SCBMCH and was later arrested by the police.
Meanwhile, the Choudwar IIC, SI Partha Beura and constable Biswajit Das too suffered injuries.
