The special squad of the Commissionerate Police along with the Khandagiri police on Saturday arrested six persons, including the mastermind and the security guard of the SOA University, in connection with the loot of Rs11 lakh of the Sum Hospital that had occurred on June 5 near Khandagiri Square.
The SOA University is a sister organisation of the Sum Hospital
“last night, Anil Kumar Das (29), the mastermind of the crime, was injured in an encounter by the special squad. Except the security guard, the other five arrested accused are hardened criminals,” said Commissioner of Police (CP) Dr RP Sharma to reporters here.
The other arrested persons Charan Sahoo alias Gugu (23), the security guard Goutam Bhoi alias litu (25) of Cuttack, Tulu Sahoo alias Robert (33) of Jatani Khordha against whom seven cases each are pending, and Manas Kumar Jena (28) of Cuttack against whom as many as 22 cases are pending in various police stations in the State, were forwarded to courton Saturday.
The police also recovered Rs 3.99 lakh, a 9MM pistol, a 7.62 mouser, three mobile phones, three bikes and iron pipes from their possession.
The CP said the breakthrough in the case came when the Cuttack police nabbed Manas and Goutam during a blocking a few days back.
“Though they were apprehended in another crime but during interrogation both confessed their involvement in the Sum Hospital loot incident. On the basis of their confession, we have launched a manhunt for other accused,” the CP said.
“In the late night on Friday, our special squad team nabbed Anil after an exchange of fire near the Barang area. While Anil received a bullet injury in his leg, one of his accomplices, Chandan, managed to escape. Anil was involved in a series of robbery, bombing and loot cases. Currently, he is recuperating at the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack,” informed Dr Sharma.
The Commissioner said that on the day of the incident security guard litu informed about the departure of the money-carrying vehicle from the hospital, following which Charan, Manas and Goutam who had come by a scooty were waiting near the Jayadev Vatika for the hospital staff to reach. The other accused were following the hospital’s car in their four-wheeler.
When the hospital staff reached the Jayadev Vatika, Manas opened fire at the car and all of them decamped with the cash. After the loot, the six arrested accused congregated near the Barang area and distributed the booty, the CP said.
“A manhunt has been launched to nab Chandan, Bunu and another person,” added the CP.