Bhubaneswar: The man, who allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman at gunpoint in Nayapalli area of Bhubaneswar, was apprehended after a brief encounter with police on Saturday.
According to preliminary information, the accused allegedly opened fire at police while trying to escape in Chandaka area. As the police team fired back in self-defence, the man sustained a bullet injury to his leg.
The accused, identified as Sridhar Panda, was overpowered by the police team and taken to Capital Hospital here for treatment.
The Commissionerate Police had launched an operation to apprehend Panda in connection with the sensational rape case.
The alleged rape took place at the woman’s rented ground-floor accommodation in Nayapalli area of the city 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 stays 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.
Further investigation by the police is underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to the alleged rape, the accused’s movements and whether others were involved.
