Keonjhar: The Keonjhar police on Monday morning shot at a suspected criminal during a recovery operation near Mahuldiha village.
The victim was identified as Pravat Mallick of Gamharia village under Town police station limits. He sustained a bullet injury on his right leg and was first admitted to Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital before being referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital.
During the raid, the accused first fired at the security force and police retaliated, police said.
Mallick is the prime accused in last month’s robbery of a panchayat extension officer (PEO) under Sadar police station limits. According to police, Mallick is involved in over 40 cases related to robbery, theft and other serious offences.
Police said that during interrogation, Mallick confessed to the armed robbery of over Rs 8 lakh from the PEO and disclosed where he had concealed the cash and other stolen property. During the recovery near the Mahuldiha forest area, he allegedly pulled out a hidden country-made firearm and fired a round at the police party with intent to kill, police said. “In self-defence and to protect the lives of police personnel, a controlled retaliatory fire took place, resulting in injury to the accused below the knee,” Amit Kumar Bhuyan, inspector in-charge of Sadar police station, said. Police said he was then overpowered and disarmed.
A country-made firearm and robbery-related cash were recovered and seized, police said.
A fresh case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Further investigation is on to nab other associates and recover the remaining stolen property, police said.
