Bhubaneswar: The accused in the alleged rape of a 26-year-old woman at gunpoint in Nayapalli was apprehended on Saturday after he allegedly stabbed the police with a screwdriver while trying to escape in Chandaka area, prompting retaliatory firing in which he sustained a bullet injury to his right leg, officials said.
The accused, identified as Santosh alias Sridhar Panda of Jagannath Prasad, Ganjam was currently residing at Chakeisiani village under Mancheswar police station limits, was overpowered by the police team and taken to Capital Hospital here for treatment.
According to preliminary information, police had launched an operation to apprehend Panda in connection with the rape case. During the operation, he allegedly attempted to flee and attacked the police team.
The police retaliated in self-defence and to prevent his escape, and a bullet hit the accused in the right leg, officials said.
After investigation of more than 300 CCTV cameras and alaysing huge volume of technical data, the accused was identified by the Special Squad team of the police.
The alleged rape took place at the woman’s rented ground-floor accommodation in the Nayapalli area late Wednesday night. According to her complaint, a masked man entered the flat, threatened her with a gun and allegedly raped her before fleeing.
The woman, who lives with her elder sister, was alone at the time of the incident. The house owner resides on the first floor.
Police had registered a case and recorded the woman’s statement. She had told investigators that she was unsure whether the weapon used by the accused was a real firearm or a toy gun.
Bhubaneswar DCP Saravana Vivek M had earlier said that senior police officers visited the spot and an investigation was underway to identify and apprehend the accused.
Police are also examining whether the accused was known to the woman, despite her claim that the attacker was a stranger.
Meanwhile, the Odisha State Commission for Women (SCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged rape and sought a detailed report from the Bhubaneswar DCP within 15 days.
SCW member Urmila Mohapatra visited Nayapalli police station on Friday and held discussions with the investigating officers.
The police investigation is continuing to establish the circumstances leading to the alleged rape, the accused’s movements and whether others were involved.
