The Sambalpur police have strongly refuted the allegation of the Saha family of Golebazar in the media that police knowingly killed Raju Saha terming the recent incident as an encounter. The allegation has also been made by one of the deceased’s wives, Manasi.

IIC of Ainthapali police station Amitabh Panda said, “For self-protection, the police had to open fire on Raju that resulted in his death. Further, he died on the way to hospital. This makes clear that the police took utmost care to save his life.”

He further said that due to a sudden attack by Raju, an injured young police officer is still struggling for life in the hospital. Raju had also a track record of attacking police officers in the past, for which a case is pending against him, he pointed out.

Besides, as many as 24 cases of grievous nature have been registered in different police stations of Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts against Raju, who had been arrested for many times. While in jail, he had also attacked fellow prisoners, Panda said. “After all, he was a hardcore criminal and victimised innocent people and businessmen,” he added.

Panda said every chance had been given to Raju to surrender before police on the day of the incident on October 1 at Dengsargi, where he was traced. But he opened fire at the police.

He further stated that during the current Puja season, Raju had already extorted Rs. 10 lakh from businessmen and was also demanding high amounts from different business houses. Out of fear, Raju’s victims were not making any complaint against him.

Public at large and the business community seem to support the police action towards the hardened criminal. Former president of Sambalpur District Bar Association Dr Pramod Rath is of the view that the “encounter” was totally justified.

“This would be a warning to other criminals of similar backgrounds,” he said.

Dr Rath pointed out that former Chief Justice of Supreme Court RS lodha on September 23, 2013 has fixed guidelines for police encounter. According to the guidelines, each encounter would be inquired properly to prove its justification. The concerned police officer would not get any promotion till the completion of the inquiry.

“But in this case of Raju Saha, the police action will be proved to be justified,” Dr Rath maintained.