Police authorities in Odisha have apprehended the man accused of trespassing into a house and sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman in the Nayapalli locality of Bhubaneswar. The suspect, identified as Santosh alias Sridhar Panda, was intercepted in the Chandaka area following an intensive 48-hour operation. During the standoff, the accused attempted to evade capture by opening fire on the police party and attacking an officer with a screwdriver, prompting retaliatory fire that injured him in the leg. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar for medical treatment.
Intruder Targeted Lone Woman in Nayapalli Residence
The incident occurred on Wednesday night when the 26-year-old victim was alone at her home in Nayapalli. According to her complaint, a masked intruder broke into the residence, produced an apparent firearm to threaten her, and committed the assault before fleeing the scene. Immediately upon receiving the complaint, specialized police units were mobilized under the direct supervision of DCP S Vivek to secure the area, collect forensic leads, and trace the perpetrator's escape routes.
Extensive Manhunt Spanning 100 Officers and Over 100 Cameras
Detailing the breakthrough, Bhubaneswar Commissioner of Police S Devdutt Singh noted that a massive tracing effort was launched across the city. Around 100 police personnel worked continuously over a 48-hour window, examining video recordings from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed across the neighborhood and adjoining arterial roads. Although an image of the suspect was extracted from footage within hours of the crime, his identity could not be verified right away due to the mask and limited visual clarity, requiring investigators to map out his physical trail through transportation networks.
Escape Route Tracked From Foot Movement to Bus and Stolen Motorcycle
Investigators linked various clues regarding the suspect's movements across transit points. Security footage revealed that after leaving the victim's residence, the perpetrator initially fled on foot. He then boarded a public bus to create distance before stealing a motorcycle to continue his flight. The tracking teams analyzed his transit patterns and vehicle routes systematically, which eventually pinpointed his presence in the Chandaka area on the outskirts of the city.
Confrontation in Chandaka Leads to Gunfire
When the police team moved in to encircle his location in Chandaka, the situation quickly escalated into an armed confrontation. The suspect discharged two rounds of gunfire toward the approaching personnel and attempted to stab a police officer using a screwdriver. In response, officers returned fire in self-defense, striking the suspect in the leg to immobilize him. With the threat neutralized, the team took him into custody and transported him directly to Capital Hospital for treatment of his bullet wound.
Toy Pistol Used to Intimidate Victim Amid Past Criminal Record
Further inquiry revealed a significant detail regarding the weapon brandished during the offense: the gun used to terrorize the woman was not a functional firearm, but a toy lighter pistol designed to look real. Police confirmed that Santosh alias Sridhar Panda is originally from Ganjam district and had been residing in Bhubaneswar recently. He already carries a previous criminal background involving theft cases. Investigators are interrogating him to map his past record, verify his exact motives, and establish whether he had any prior acquaintance with the victim.
