Bhubaneswar: Berhampur Police foiled an escape attempt by two main accused in the sensational kidnapping and murder case of businessman Sudhir Patra, injuring them in an encounter on Monday late night.
The injured accused have been identified as Ranjan Mallick (27) of Nuagaon under Badagada Police Station and Saroj Panda (35) alias Vicky, a resident of Modi Mahala, AK Road, Surat district in Gujarat.
Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M stated that both accused played a major role in the abduction and murder of Sudhir Patra. They had been absconding since the incident.
According to reports, the accused kidnapped Sudhir Patra and demanded ransom from his family on April 15. They later murdered him in the Buguda Rampada forest area. Saroj allegedly fired at Sudhir, while Ranjan used to threaten the family over phone calls.
A special police team had arrested four persons from Rajasthan — Saroj Panda, Ranjan Mallick, Sumit Singh Sunil Rajput, and Mukesh Sahu — and was transporting them to Berhampur near Ankuspur, Saroj and Ranjan allegedly attacked the police team and tried to flee. In the exchange of fire, both were injured by police bullets.
Ranjan Mallick was shot in his right leg, while Saroj Panda was shot in his left leg. Both have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
