In a swift breakthrough, police arrested a 40-year-old man within 24 hours for allegedly shooting a pregnant woman in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district, highlighting prompt action in a case that shocked the local community.
Shocking attack inside victim’s home
The incident took place on March 20 in Talipada under the Sarbahal area. The accused, identified as Lokesh Kumar Padhan from Kilasama village in Sambalpur district, allegedly barged into the victim’s house in the evening and opened fire while she was resting.
The woman, who is around four months pregnant, sustained a bullet injury. Hearing the gunshot, her husband rushed to the room. Police said the accused then assaulted him and fled the scene, reportedly locking the door from outside to delay immediate assistance.
Victim undergoing treatment
The injured woman was initially taken to Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital and later referred to VIMSAR, Burla. She is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, with doctors closely monitoring her condition.
Swift police action leads to arrest
Acting promptly, police registered a case and formed multiple teams under the supervision of SDPO Uma Shankar Singh, following directions from Jharsuguda SP G R Raghavendra.
Teams from Jharsuguda Town and Badmal police stations carried out coordinated raids using technical surveillance, local intelligence, and cyber inputs. The accused was apprehended within 24 hours.
Police also recovered a country-made pistol with a magazine, nine rounds of live ammunition, a motorcycle used in the crime, a mobile phone, burnt clothes, and an empty cartridge from the spot.
Personal enmity behind the crime
Preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was driven by personal enmity. The accused reportedly suspected the involvement of the victim’s minor son in the death of his own son in an earlier case, which allegedly led him to carry out the shooting.
Police have confirmed that further investigation is underway to establish all aspects of the case.