Man wanted in firing case surrenders in court

BHUBANESWAR: Barely hours after firing at a security personnel of private hospital, the accused surrendered before a court here in a bid to avoid getting arrested.The accused, Nakul Mahakud of Malipada had shot at one Pabitra Sethi, who works as a security personnel with a city-based private hospital, near Sampur under Khandagiri police limits. Nakul shot Pabitra in his left hand and abdomen. Pabitra escaped the third shot.

The staff of hospital’s parking lot rushed to Pabitra rescue but failed to nab Nakul who fled in his car. Police recovered bullet shells from the spot after the incident. A complaint in this regard was lodged by Pabitra’s brother, Santosh Sethi following which cops launched a manhunt to nab Nakul, who went into hiding.According to police, “Nakul has criminal antecedents and about seven cases have been registered against him at Chandaka, Khandagiri and Kharavel Nagar police stations. He was earlier also arrested by the cops,” Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania said on Saturday.

Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi told The Express that they have urged the court to allow them to take Nakul on 5-day remand for questioning him in connection with the case. The DCP also informed that they are investigating whether Nakul’s associates had accompanied him to the spot.“We had received inputs that two associates of Nakul had accompanied him to a place near the hospital where Pabitra was shot at. But, it was Nakul who opened fire,” he said.Sources said Nakul and Pabitra had indulged in a brawl a few days back over past enmity and the firing was a fallout of that. Meanwhile, Nakul has been sent to a jail here.