BERHAMPUR: A wanted inter-district criminal, Baidhar Raut alias Badal, was arrested following an exchange of fire with Polosara police at Sandhinala forest near Singhasani in Ganjam district on Tuesday.
The criminal belonged to Nalgunda village under Chandbali police limits in Bhadrak district.
SP Asish Singh said Badal was involved in a series of robbery, dacoity and 20 vehicle lifting cases. He had committed crimes in Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, Puri, Khurda, Rourkela and Ganjam districts. In Ganjam, he was involved in eight cases under Kodala, Buguda and Polasara police limits.
Badal never stayed in the district after committing a crime as a result of which, he escaped the police dragnet every time. On Monday night, he was seen roaming near Singhasini area and receiving information, a police team, led by SDPO Dilip Dash, launched a search operation. Early on Tuesday, Badal and two of his accomplices, were seen moving on three motorcycles and police tried to intercept them.
Instead, Badal opened fire at the police and when the latter retaliated, a bullet hit Badal’s leg and he fell down from the motorcycle. Police arrested him along with the two others, Nilanchal Nahak of Mathura village under Polasara police limits and Ajit Polei of Athagadapatna village under Kabisuryanagar police limits. A mouser with three rounds of ammunitions, knives along with master keys of SUVs and lock-breaking instruments were seized from them. Badal has been admitted to MKCG MCH.