Jharsuguda: A notorious criminal with a long history of involvement in organised crime and the illegal arms trade was wounded and arrested early Monday after exchanging fire with police in a forested area of Odisha’s Jharsuguda district.
Banti Prasad, also referred to as Bunty or Banty in police records, a resident of Hanuman Nagar under the Orient police limits, sustained a bullet injury to his left leg during the confrontation near Amdarah forest.
Acting on specific intelligence about his movements and hideout, a special team from the Orient police station cordoned off the jungle area that falls within the overlapping jurisdictions of Brajrajnagar and Orient stations. When officers closed in during the combing operation, Prasad allegedly opened fire in an attempt to evade capture. Police returned controlled fire in self-defence, striking him in the leg and bringing the exchange to an end without injury to any personnel. An illegal firearm was recovered from the scene.
The wounded accused was first taken to a local community health centre before being shifted to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital for further treatment. His condition remains stable.
Prasad was wanted in around 17 cases registered across Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar and Orient stations. The charges against him include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit dacoity, organised crime and multiple offences under the Arms Act related to illegal firearms. Earlier this year, in April 2026, he had been arrested as a key supplier in an illegal arms syndicate operating in Brajrajnagar area. Police then recovered five country-made pistols and ammunition, which he allegedly procured from districts in Bihar for distribution to local criminals. He had previously been granted bail in that case by the Orissa High Court.
Jharsuguda SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra emphasised that the district police maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward organised crime and the illicit arms trade, particularly in the mining and industrial regions where such networks pose ongoing challenges. He noted that Prasad had fired directly at the team and tried to flee, leaving officers no option but to respond.
The SP added that the police are keeping a close watch on Prasad’s associates and suspected arms suppliers to map out any larger network.