Dreaded criminal wanted in bomb attack on jeweller held following encounter in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A dreaded criminal accused of attacking a jeweller at Kharavela Nagar area in Bhubaneswar this month was arrested following an encounter here in the city last night.

The accused Jitendra Palei alias Jitu was wanted in a bombing and attempt to murder case registered at the Kharavela Nagar Police Station.

According to reports, a team of police consisting of Kharavela Nagar IIC and other officials chased Jitu at 1.30 am as per input about movement of the criminal near Tankapani Road.

In the chase, the criminal tried to escape on a kutcha road near Bankual Kuakhai River embankment after firing at the police team. In self defence, the police team resorted to firing at the criminal in which he was injured.

The police rushed him to the Capital Hospital for first aid. Later, he was referred to the SCB Hospital in Cuttack for further treatment.

Police nabbed the criminal in connection with bomb attack on a jeweler at Kharvel Nagar area on March 17. During investigation in the case, it was revealed that Jitu Palei had criminal records in the past. He was involved in many cases including dacoity and extortion and in Cuttack, Khordha and Jagatsinghpur. Earlier, he had opened fire at a Havalidar, informed Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh.

The preliminary investigation revealed that he had attacked the same jeweler severely injuring him last year.