Police arrested notorious criminal Dhaneswar Jhankar alias Tima, 42, five days after an encounter in the Dungachhali forest under Rairakhol police limits.
He sustained a bullet injury in his leg during the exchange of fire on March 18.
Police said Tima was rescued in an injured condition and treated at Rairakhol hospital before being shifted to Burla Medical College. On Monday, Rairakhol police formally arrested him and produced him in court.
Tima Jhankar carried a long criminal record with over 41 cases across Sambalpur, Balangir, Jharsuguda, and Mayurbhanj districts. His crimes included dacoity, extortion, armed robbery, and theft of aluminium conductor wires. Police revealed that his main targets were microfinance employees, whom he looted by threatening them with firearms.
During the March 18 encounter, police arrested three of his associates—Satyajit Pradhan of Baribandh, Prashant Mirdha of Mirgamunda, and Dillip Ray of Krishnanagar. Officers seized a pistol with live ammunition, a Bolero vehicle, wire cutters, and other tools used for theft.
Police said Tima and his gang opened fire when challenged. Officers retaliated with controlled firing, injuring Tima and capturing his associates. Investigators confirmed that Tima had escaped from Mayurbhanj police custody four years ago and continued his criminal activities across districts.
Officials described the arrest as a major breakthrough in curbing organised crime in western Odisha.
