Macchua was initially admitted to a hospital in Khallikote and later shifted to MKCG Medical College & Hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment. The criminal is said to be a resident of Ranpur area of Nayagarh.
According to sources, more than 10 criminal cases have been filed against Macchua. Police seized 1 pistol, 3 live bullets and a bike from Macchua's possession.
According to sources, the victim Goura Naik had turned down the demand of his 50-year-old son Gangadhar Naik and grandson 19-year-old Devbrat Naik when they asked him for some money. Irked over the refusal, both the accused lost their cool and attacked Goura with a sharp weapon.
The attack was so brutal that Goura's right eye was gouged out. Later, the elderly man succumbed. Subsequently, Talcher police arrested both the accused and seized Goura's body.
As per sources, Devbrat had been arrested several times in past in connection with multiple criminal cases and recently he was freed from jail.
Investigation is on, police sources said.
The accused identified as Anil Behera alias Chiku, who suffered a bullet injury on his leg, has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital. His condition is said to be stable.
Sources said Chiku was wanted by Purighat police in connection with a loot case.
Acting on a tip-off regarding Chiku's movement, a police team conducted a raid in Nuapada area. However, sensing trouble Chiku first opened fired at the police team.
Later the police team also retaliated with gun shots and subsequently managed to nab Chiku.
Police seized a pistol, two rounds of bullets and a mobile phone from Chiku's possession while further investigation is on.
Kalu, who received a bullet on his right leg was initially admitted to Asika government hospital and later transferred to the Berhampur MKCG hospital.
The encounter took place when Kalu, a resident of Baliapalli village under Kabisuryanagar police limits was on his way to Balipad on a bike without a number plate. Realising that the Badgada police was chasing him, Kalu opened fire on them. In response, cops also fired back at Kalu leaving him injured.
"Acting on a tip off a team of police followed Kalu and tried to stop him but he fired at them. In response the police personnel fired back at Kalu leaving him injured," SDPO of Asika Subash Chandra Panda said.
Police recovered a mouser, 3 rounds of bullets and a bike from his possession.
More than 10 cases have been registered against Kalu in Asika, Dharakot, Sorda, Badgada, Kabisuryanagar areas, informed police.
The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch will soon move court seeking permission to attach the property of gangster Tito which is estimated to be over Rs 100 crore.
The Crime Branch is preparing a blue print to attach the property of Tito on the basis of The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 1944.
“Odisha government had come up with a law to seize property of those involved in criminal activities or any illegal businesses,” said former DG Sanjiv Marik.
Crime Branch sources said efforts are also on to ascertain Tito’s involvement in ‘Hawala’ racket. Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax department would also be approached for investigation into Tito’s monetary transactions.
It is suspected that Tito used to carry out monetary transactions worth crores through the bank accounts in the name of his wife.
Tito, who owns several luxury cars, is also believed to have invested in several properties including hotels in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Goa.
The investigation agency is hopeful to elicit more information regarding Tito during the second phase interrogation. Today, the court allowed STF to take the gangster on remand for four more days.
“Court has allowed us four days remand. As our investigation is still on, it won’t be proper to reveal anything on Tito’s links and findings as it may hamper the investigation,” said Crime Branch DSP, Ramchandra Thambe.
“There is no law that bars anyone who has already left criminal activities from buying property. First let STF prove that the property belongs to the accused,” said Tito’s laywer, Bana Bihari Mohanty.
According to reports, on a tip-off, the Nayagarh police had laid a trap on Solpata-Darpada road to get hold of the criminal. While travelling, Kabuli suddenly found himself in midst of police and opened fire to flee.
However, the policemen fired at Kabuli in retaliation and an exchange of fire continued injuring him on his right leg. Kabuli was caught and sent to hospital for treatment. However, an accomplice of Kabuli managed to flee from the spot, police sources claimed.
There are more than 20 cases registered against Kabuli in Nayagarh and other areas, informed police.
"Acting on a tip-off, a team of police had laid a plan to apprehend the criminal. Finding the police on spot, he opened fire. The policemen fired in retaliation leaving the criminal injured leading to his arrest," Nayagarh Superintendent of Police Ashish Singh said.
Lala, who received bullet wounds on his left leg during the exchange of fire, has been admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack.
Sources said more than 15 cases were pending against Lala in police stations of Jajpur, Kendrapara and other districts in the State. A special team of police under Kendrapara SP had been after Lala since a long time, informed police sources.
Acting on a tipoff, the cops intercepted Lala between Haladia and Alabanka area in the wee hours today. Trying to resist the arrest, he fired two rounds of bullet. The police officers back fired in retaliation leaving him injured.
Lala was first rushed to Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and later shifted to SCBMCH.
"He was brought here by the Kendrapara Sadar Inspector-in-charge (IIC). After preliminary treatment, we referred him to Cuttack. He has received bullet injuries on his left leg," informed Manas Jena, a doctor at the Kendrapara DHH.
The criminal, identified as Suresh Rout of Poibadi under Daspalla police limits was planning for a dacoity at Baramasi area near Lenkudipada. Police received a tip off about his movement and raided the area accordingly.
Suresh opened fire at the raiding team first in a bid to escape. However, police in exercise of right of private defence also retaliated in which Suresh sustained bullet injuries on his right leg.
He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital and later shifted to Cuttack.
Suresh was wanted by Nayagarh police. As many as 36 cases related to murder, loot and dacoity are pending against him at different police stations in Khurdha, Nayagarh, Boudh and Puri districts.
Puri: Two notorious criminals were arrested after being injured in an encounter by police at Kaji Patana near Mangalpur in Puri district on Thursday night.
The criminals, identified as Subash Pradhan and Amar Omkar were admitted to Pipili health centre and later shifted to Cuttack after primary treatment.
Both of them suffered bullet injuries on leg, police said. A motor cycle, a pistol and five rounds of live bullets were seized from them, police added.
On a tip-off, a special team led by Puri SDPO Susil Mishra conducted raid in Kaji Patana area to nab the criminals while they were planning to execute a major crime. They opened three rounds of fire at police and tried to escape. The raiding team too retaliated in exercise of right of private defence.
Both the criminals were arrested in a murder case in Surat of Gujarat. Later, they were released on bail, SDPO Susil Mishra informed. They are key accused in Ganga Bhol firing case that took place near Kathapola under Sadar police limits, he added.
Sources said when Janmejaya along with his two associates was attempting to kidnap a youth from Badagada area in a Bolero, two youths of Laxmisagar area tried to intercept them. However, the miscreants attacked the two youths with sharp weapons following which they sustained injuries.
On receiving information, police intercepted the vehicle near Palasuni and arrested the three accused. When Janmejaya tried to flee from the spot towards the Cuttack By-pass road, the cops chased and opened fire at him.
Injured Janmejaya was later admitted to the Capital Hospital. Police seized a country-made gun and live bullets from the accused. Several criminal cases, including kidnapping and attempt to murder, have been lodged against him at various police stations, sources said.
Earlier, dacoits Hari and Lipu were injured during a police encounter in the city on Tuesday last.
The accused, identified as Trilochan Nayak alias Budhia of Sarankul area in Nayagarh district sustained bullet injuries on right leg in the shootout. He has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for treatment, police said.
A pistol and ten rounds of live bullets were seized from him, police said.
On a tip-off, police conducted raid in Gopalpur area while he was planning to execute a major crime.
"We received a tip off that Nayak was roaming in Gopalpur area suspiciously. Accordingly, a joint team of special squad and Sadar police raided the place and chased him. He tried to escape after opening one round of fire and Police too retaliated in exercise of right of private defence," ACP Pramod Rath said.
“Main accused in Daspalla robbery case that took place in September last year, Nayak had also hurled bomb earlier at Sarankul police station in Nayagarh. He was in the most wanted list of Nayagarh police”.
Around 32 cases are pending against him at different police stations in Odisha. He was also involved in a murder case in Jamshedpur, Rath added.
https://youtu.be/qLbRXJWx5uQ
The deceased was identified as Santosh Kumar Reddy. Police said several criminal cases are pending against the deceased at various police stations in the district.
A team of Seragada and Dharakota police reached the spot and launched a man hunt to nab the assailants.
The exact cause of the crime has not yet been ascertained. However police suspected that murder took place over a past enmity
The police are likely to take the trio on remand for questioning them on their crime records. Sakil and his aides were arrested by a special police squad in a joint operation with the Guntur police. During the raid, cops had recovered a 7.65 caliber gun and two rounds of live bullets from their possession.
Addressing a press briefing, Cuttack DCP Sanjeev Arora said, "Two months ago we had constituted a special team which raided suspected hideouts of the dreaded criminals in several other states including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar but they managed to slip away every time. We had traced their presence in Guntur area of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh this time and were able to nab them. They will be court forwarded today,"
"Sakil is a veteran criminal and is involved in various anti-social activities. As many as 22 different cases are pending against him at various police stations," Arora added.
Sakil was on the hit list of police for his involvement as a main accused in various infamous acts including murder of Cuttack Malgodown trader Farooq, Sheikh Bazaar Sahi head Keshav Behera’s murder, bomb hurling at former OCA Secretary Ashirbad Behera’s residence.
More recently Sakil and his associates have been a challenge to the police following their various terror activities like bomb hurling at the house of Mohammad Sajaan, the head of Kesharpur Sahi on March 24, firing at Sheikh Jalil at Manisahu Chhak near Cantonment Road two days later followed by firing at police at Hadiapatha area.
It is the second shootout to be reported in the past one week as earlier Gora Mallick was arrested after a similar encounter near Delanga on April 14.
Also Read: Wanted criminal injured in encounter
According to police, Rabi Pradhan was wanted in the Balighat firing case and his criminal antecedents are now being verified. Rabi has sustained a bullet injury on his right leg and has been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
A pistol and a motorcycle have been recovered from Rabi’s possession and further investigation in connection with the incident is on, senior police officials said.
Gora was wanted for his alleged involvement in the Atharnala bombing case, sources said.
The accused Gora Mallick has sustained bullet injury on his right leg during the encounter with a police team. Following the incident, Gora has been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
A pistol, gun powder and live crude bombs have been seized from his possession.
Police said Gora was involved in the firing incident in Puri on April 8 and had also lobbed crude bombs on a businessman on April 10. He was also involved in dozen of cases relating to loot, extortion, attempt to murder and other petty crimes in Puri Sadar and other parts of the district.
A special team was closely tracking the movements of Gora and arrested him following an exchange of fire yesterday.
Acting on a tip off, special squad of commissionerate police raided Dhauli area where Suka was hatching a plan to commit a crime in the area.
When the police tried to nab Suka, he opened two rounds of fire at the police. In reply, the police fired at Suka in which he sustained bullet injuries on his right leg, police sources said.
The police also seized one pistol and two live bullets from the possession of Suka.
Also read: Dreaded criminal injured in police encounter; bombs, gun seized
Suka was first admitted to Capital hospital and later shifted to SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack, sources in police informed.
As many as 8 criminal cases are pending against Suka at a number of police stations. Police also suspects Suka's involvement in a loot from four morning walkers that took place on December 28.
According to sources, Sunil and his associates were creating panic in Dhipasahi, Goodshed road and Badakhemundi sahi on Thursday evening.
On being informed about this, a team of BN Pur police raided the areas and found Sunil in Ambapua area where he and his associates were hatching a plan to commit crime.
When the police tried to nab them, Sunil opened fire at the team. In reply, the Inspector in Charge (IIC) of BN Pur police station Ajay Mishra fired back at Sunil inflicting bullet injuries on his two legs. A seriously injured Sunil was rushed to MKCG hospital, sources in the police said.
The associates of Sunil, however, managed to escape from the spot during the encounter. Meanwhile, the police has formed three teams to nab the aides of Sunil.
The police seized a pistol and five rounds of live bullets from Sunil’s possession.
A pistol, two rounds of live ammunition, a crude bomb, a motorcycle and three phones were seized from his possession, the officer said.
Swain was admitted to a hospital in Bhanjanagara and his condition is stable, he said.
Swain was wanted in several criminal cases like bomb blast, robbery and dacoity in Ganjam and Nayagarh districts, he said.
The similarities of Tito’s case with the rise and fall of the Dhalasamant brothers, who ran a similar crime syndicate from Cuttack, are hard to miss. In both cases, the gangsters built their empire, brick by brick, over several years before the law finally caught up with them. Both of them were courted and patronised by all three major political parties in the state as they went about building their extensive network of crime that stretched from tender fixing to extortion and illegal sand mining. And lastly, in both cases, their denouement was the result of a tug of war between the ruling party and the BJP.
If BJD leaders, including Barabati Cuttack MLA Debashish Samantaray, were seen in the public place in the company of the ‘D Brothers’, the BJP’s foremost leader in the state and Union Petroleum and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was seen and heard publicly endorsing Sushil Dhalasamant as the ‘Baimundi’ of Cuttack! Senior Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das too was seen attending a function where Sushil was present on the dais. When these things became public, each of these political dramatis personae sought to drag the other two parties into it even as they tried to hide behind their role as people’s representatives to make light of their public appearances with the gangster.
The same routine is now being repeated in the case of Tito. Allegations of collusion have been flying thick and fast between the BJD and the BJP. Things have become particularly vicious since the IOCL requested the CBI, as per the ‘advice’ of the Petroleum ministry, to probe how Tito managed to get two Indian Oil petrol pumps – one each in Kendrapara and Paradip – sanctioned in the name of his wife Benazir despite his criminal antecedents. If the former has sought to drag Dharmendra Pradhan into mud by accusing him of links with Tito’s crime syndicate, the latter has alleged that ruling party legislators in Kendrapara protected and patronised the don.
Coming as it does soon after handing over the probe into the sinking of the Mongolian vessel MV Black Rose, laden with 23, 000 tonnes of illegally mined iron ore, in 2009 to the CBI, the probe into the allotment of petrol pumps to Tito appears to be part of the BJP led Union government’s plans to embarrass the state government and the ruling party in the run up to the next elections. In response to the handing over of the probe against Tito to the CBI, the BJD has hit back raising some pertinent questions on the issue. When did the Petroleum Ministry come to know about the allotment? Why was it silent all this while when the allotments were done in 2014? Would the CBI probe only these two allotments or others too?
The truth is both these contending parties have a lot of explaining to do not just about these two allotments, but about the rise and rise of Tito over the years. The state government – and the BJD - must explain how the district administration and the entire law enforcement machinery remained mute spectators as Tito expanded his empire, cocking a snook at the law as he did so. It goes without saying that such crime syndicates cannot run for long without the administration and the police winking at it. How come the special task force (STF) of the State Crime Branch unearthed so much information about Tito’s ‘business’ ventures in just a fortnight? Why was the police silent all these years? How was Tito’s brother inducted into the BJD recently?
On its part, the BJP too has to answer several questions on Tito, especially the allotment of petrol pumps to him. IOCL CGM Pritish Bharat today sought to implicate the then Collector of Jagatsinghpur, who had issued the no objection certificate (NOC) for the allotment, in the case. But he did not bother explaining how IOCL authorities failed to take note of the known criminal background of the Kendrapara gangster. If the BJD is guilty of shutting its eyes to Tito’s criminal enterprise, the BJP too cannot shirk its responsibility for the allotment by seeking to put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the then Collector. Just as the BJD cannot escape responsibility by apportioning blame on the IOCL, the BJP too cannot get away by pointing fingers at the Collector. The fact that all these allegations and counter-allegations are coming only after the arrest of Tito suggest that both parties have been indulgent towards the gangster for years.
The ‘encounter’ followed by arrest of Tito came about in circumstances eerily similar to that of the Dhalasamant brothers. Like in the case of the Cuttack don, the law came down on Tito like a tonne of bricks only when he started hobnobbing with BJP leaders. If the grapevine is to be believed, the decision to crack down on Tito’s empire too came after reports of the gangster meeting a senior leader of the BJP in Delhi.
If there is a lesson for the two parties in these two widely discussed cases, it is this: the cynical use of criminals to further short term political interests must stop because it proves politically costly in the long run.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same).
Biswaranjan Rath, Nodal Officer of the Static Surveillance Team at Biramitrapur, who was present at the spot said, "As the Audi car was brand new, it did not have registration number. While the squad was carrying out inspection, the driver threw the cash bag and fled with his vehicle. The amount recovered was Rs 27,49,500."
Later, the squad informed the matter to police who immediately lauched an investigation to identify the miscreants.
Earlier today, the Election Commission's flying squad seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 2 lakh from the vehicle of Pradeep Dishari, BJD’s candidate from Lanjigarh Assembly constituency, near Jayapatna area in Kalahandi district.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar today informed, "Liquor worth over Rs 2 crore and cash over Rs 1 crore have been seized so far. Persons carrying more than Rs 50,000 cash will be stopped and if no satisfactory answer regarding source and purpose of cash is received, person concerned will be interrrogated further."
On September 24, a gang of robbers looted cash and gold ornaments from one Lala Lalit Singh after opening fire at him near Nuapatna rice mill when he was en route to Dhenkanal from Puri along with his family. Singh succumbed to the headshot injury while undergoing treatment at SCB Hospital in Cuttack.
Of the four accused in the loot and murder incident, Ajay was arrested on Sunday near Tangi-Kapilas road, while another associate Muna Dehury was nabbed after police encounter in Choudwar area today.
Hours later, the investigation took a new twist after Ajay during interrogation revealed that his mother, sister and his girlfriend helped him execute his loot plans. He said that these three used to help him sell the items looted by him.
Based on the disclosure, a team of Commissionerate Police immediately arrested the trio. "During the course of investigation, it was found that Jitu's mother, sister and girlfriend were actively involved in the crimes. They used to guide him, give him shelter apart from selling the looted items. We have seized stolen Mangalsutras, gold chains and rings from their possession," said Cuttack DCP Akhilesvar Singh.
It is pertinent to mention here that both Ajay and Muna are involved in robberies, dacoity, firing incidents with as many as 16-17 cases registered against each of them at several police stations.
Meanwhile, police is investigating to trace the other two absconding criminals.
The accused, P Siba Shankar Dora, sustained injuries, along with two other police constables, during the encounter at Charimaili Chhaka in Aska police station area on Sunday night. Dora, who sustained gunshot injuries on his left knee, was admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here, said Inspector In-Charge PK Sahoo said.
The two constables were also treated for their injuries at a local hospital and discharged, he stated.
The accused was on a bike with one of his accomplices when they were chased by police, leading to the exchange of fire, the officer explained, adding that a pistol and two cartridges have been seized from his possession. His accomplice, however, managed to flee the spot.
According to police sources, Dora had allegedly fired at a 30-year-old man in the area and injured him, hours before his arrest.
A team of investigating cops arrested the accused, Santosh Kumar Raj, marketing manager of Vimal Pan Masala company and recovered the money from his house.
According to sources, Raj lodged a complaint with Khuntuni Police on Tuesday claiming that four bike-borne miscreants attacked him with sharp weapons and looted Rs 18 lakh near Radhakishorepur in Athagarh area while he was heading towards Bhubaneswar from Dhenkanal on a bike in the morning hours.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant sections of IPC and visited the crime spot. While questioning Raj about the incident, suspicion raised among the investigation cops after noticing inconsistency in statements.
Later, the accused confessed to have concocted the fake loot incident to swindle the money.
As per reports, the firing incident took place over past enmity during which the youth Debraj Biswal suffered bullet injuries on his thigh. The injured youth was initially taken to Jagatsinghpur hospital and later admitted to SCB hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated.
"A verbal spat over past enmity turned into violent face-off during which the youth received gunshot wound. A case has been filed in this regard by the brother of the injured. We have also detained two people in connection with the case," said Jagatsinghpur SDPO.
Balikuda Police has launched a probe into the incident.