Notorious criminal Sheikh Mehtab was nabbed following an encounter on the Kendrapada-Gandakhia road in the district on Tuesday.
Mehtab, who sustained bullet injuries in both his legs during exchange of fire with police, was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition.
Acting on a tipoff, a team of the Sadar Police and special squad intercepted Mehtab and one of his accomplices near the Kendrapara-Gandakhia road but the criminals open fired at the cops in a bid to escape. Police personnel retaliated and Mehtab was injured and subsequently nabbed.
But an accomplice of Mehtab managed to escape from the spot.
Later, police seized one 9 mm pistol, Rs 2,000 cash and a mobile phone from Mehtab’s possession.
Around 40 cases are pending against Mehtab at different police stations in Kendrapada, Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Jagasinghpur districts.
Mehtab is the main accused in firing at businessman Vivekananda Maharana near Gulnagar bridge in the district in July, police said.