Odisha: Two rape case accused injured in police firing in Jharsuguda

The two arrested persons attempted to flee police after snatching a weapon, prompting police to open fire. Both sustained bullet injuries on their legs and are being treated at hospital, police said

Bhubaneswar: Police opened fire and injured two persons who were attempting to escape the police custody after being arrested on charges of a raping a minor girl. The incident happened in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district on Saturday, police said.  The incident took place in Belpahar area when the police were taking the two accused persons identified as Sheikh Asif and Abhishek Barik, to the court, an officer said.

“They snatched a revolver from police and attempted to flee by terrorising and attacking them. The police opened fire and they got injured,” IGP (Northern range) Himanshu Lal told reporters.The police claimed that they were forced to open fire after the accused tried to escape despite being issued warnings. Both the accused persons have sustained bullet injuries on their legs.

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Both the injured accused persons were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) In Jharsuguda for treatment. Their condition was stated to be stable, police said. The IGP said one of the accused Sheikh faces multiple charges, including making death threats to the minor’s family.