Jharsuguda: A man has been arrested for allegedly shooting and critically injuring a four-month pregnant woman in the Sarbahal Talipada area of Jharsuguda district, police said on Sunday. The accused has been identified as Lokesh Kumar Padhan.
According to the police, the incident occurred on the evening of March 20, when the accused allegedly entered the house of Biswabijayini Jena armed with a gun and opened fire on her. Hearing the gunshot, Jena’s husband rushed to the scene, but the accused allegedly assaulted him before fleeing after locking the door from the outside.
The injured woman was initially admitted to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital and later transferred to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla. She is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Jharsuguda Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Uma Shankar Singh said the accused was arrested within 24 hours of the incident. “Following instructions from the SP, the case was treated as a priority and multiple teams were formed. The accused was apprehended, and a pistol, nine rounds of live ammunition, a motorcycle, and other incriminating items were recovered from him,” he said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that personal enmity was the motive behind the crime. The accused suspected the victim’s family of being responsible for the death of his son, who had drowned last year while playing.
Police said the accused will be produced in court, and further investigation is underway.
