Prime Accused In Balasore Acid Attack In Odisha Arrested

Balasore: Chandan Rana, the prime accused in the acid attack on his second wife in Odisha’s Balasore last month, has been arrested. Another man who had sold acid to Chandan was also arrested.

Sources said a total of eight people have so far been arrested in connection with the acid attack in Sahadevkhunta area of Balasore on February 20.

It may be noted that 20-year-old Banita Singh, who sustained burn injuries after being attacked by Chandan with acid, succumbed while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on February 26.

Giving details, Balasore SP Sagarika Nath told reporters that Chandan, who was on the run after committing the crime, was arrested from outside the district with the help of police personnel from West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Five police teams were formed to nab the accused. Three of the teams were in search of 32-year-old Chandan in Kolkata, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu.

The accused in a pre-planned way had purchased acid and petrol and had visited the housr of his second wife “with the intention to kill”, the SP said.

Those who had assisted the accused in the crime and had prior knowledge have been arrested by the police. The accused’s wife who had assisted him in the entire process has been also arrested, she said.

Two persons, who had helped the accused to escape from Balasore, have been also arrested, Nath said.