In a major breakthrough against organized crime, a notorious criminal named Bunty Prasad was injured in a gunfight with the police near the Amadarha forest within the limits of the Orient police station in Jharsuguda district early Monday morning.
Prasad, a resident of Hanuman Nagar, sustained a bullet injury to his left leg during retaliatory firing by the police in self-defense. Following the encounter, the police swiftly overpowered him and rushed him to the Khaliakani Community Health Centre for medical treatment.
According to police sources, the Orient police team had been actively tracking Bunti Prasad in connection with Orient Police Station Case No. 249/2026, registered under Section 308(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25(1-B)/27(1) of the Arms Act.
Acting on a tip-off that Prasad was hiding near the Amadarha forest, a special team from the Orient police station launched a combing operation around 6:00 AM on Monday.
Cornered by the police, the accused attempted to evade capture by opening unprovoked fire on the police party. While police personnel narrowly escaped, they fired in self-defense, hitting Prasad in his left leg. He collapsed on the spot, allowing officers to secure and apprehend him. Illegal firearms were also recovered from the scene.
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police (SP) Gundala Reddy Raghavendra addressed the media following the incident, stating:
“Maintaining law and order and taking stringent action against criminals is our top priority. Criminal Bunty Prasad directly fired at the police team in an attempt to escape. In self-defense, the police were forced to retaliate with controlled firing. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy against organized crime and illegal arms trafficking in Jharsuguda. Anyone taking the law into their own hands will not be spared under any circumstances.”
The SP added that authorities are keeping a close watch on Prasad’s associates and arms suppliers to unearth the entire criminal network.
Police records reveal that Bunty Prasad is a habitual offender with 17 serious criminal cases registered against him across various police stations, including Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar, and Orient. These cases involve charges ranging from attempted murder and conspiracy to commit dacoity to organized crime and illegal weapons trade.
The encounter has created a sensation across Brajrajnagar and the industrial belt. In response, local law enforcement has stepped up patrolling and security measures in the area.
