Ganjam: Notorious criminal Dilip Das was left critically injured in an encounter with police at Pushtapur near Khalikote in wee hours today. Das, who suffered bullet injuries on his right leg, was rushed to Khallikote hospital and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after preliminary treatment.
Acting on a tipoff, a team of Ganjam police intercepted the criminal near a cashew orchard between Kodala and Khallikote around 5 am. However, Das opened fire on the cops and the officials fired back in retaliation. Later, the police nabbed Das.
A country gun, two live bullets, cash worth Rs 14,000, a bike and a mobile phone were recovered from his possession, informed a senior police official.
Das hailing from Narandeipur under Banapur in Khurda district was wanted in over 20 criminal cases pending against him at several police stations in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Ganjam and Balugaon.
“He was also part of an inter-state criminal gang,” informed the official adding that efforts will be made to elicit vital information about his links during interrogation.