Sheikh Ashish and Abhishek Barik, two individuals accused of rape, sustained injuries during a police encounter on the Belpahar-Jharsuguda road.
The suspects reportedly attacked the accompanying officers, seized a firearm, and attempted to escape while being transported to court.
The altercation escalated into a gunfight when the accused opened fire, prompting the officers to act in self-defense. Both suspects were injured in the legs and are currently undergoing medical treatment.
According to Jharsuguda’s Superintendent of Police, the suspects had also been charged with threatening the family of a minor victim. The Inspector General of the Northern Range is spearheading the investigation into the incident, alongside local law enforcement.
This dramatic event has raised questions about security measures during the transit of high-risk detainees. Further details are expected as the investigation unfolds.
