Bhubaneswar, April 12: Two persons accused of raping a minor girl were injured in police firing after allegedly attempting to escape custody in Odisha's Jharsuguda district on Saturday, according to officials.
The incident occurred in the Belpahar area as the police were escorting the two accused—identified as Sheikh Asif and Abhishek Barik—to court.
"They snatched a revolver from the police and tried to flee by threatening and attacking the officers," said Himanshu Lal, Inspector General of Police (Northern Range).
"In response, the police were compelled to open fire, injuring both men," he said.
According to police, the officers had issued warnings before resorting to firing. Both accused sustained bullet wounds to their legs and were immediately taken to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Jharsuguda for treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable.
The IGP also noted that one of the accused, Sheikh Asif, has a history of criminal behavior, including issuing death threats to the victim’s family.
