Jharsuguda: In a dramatic early morning encounter on Monday, a well-known criminal linked to organized crime and the illegal arms trade was shot and arrested in a forest in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district after engaging in a shootout with law enforcement.
Banti Prasad, who is also known by the names Bunty or Banty in police documentation, was hit in his left leg during the altercation near the Amdarah forest. He resides in Hanuman Nagar, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Orient police.
Responding to specific intelligence regarding Prasad’s whereabouts, a specialized team from the Orient police established a cordon in the wooded area that is shared by the Brajrajnagar and Orient police stations. As officers moved in during their search, Prasad reportedly opened fire in a bid to escape. The police returned fire in self-defense, injuring him in the leg and concluding the confrontation without any injuries to law enforcement personnel. An illegal firearm was seized from the site of the incident.
The injured suspect was initially taken to a local community health center before being transferred to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital for more comprehensive medical care, where his condition is reported to be stable.
Prasad is wanted in connection with approximately 17 cases filed across the jurisdictions of Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar, and Orient. His charges include attempted murder, conspiracy to commit dacoity, organized crime, and multiple violations of the Arms Act concerning illicit firearms. Notably, he was arrested earlier this year in April 2026 as a significant supplier for an illegal arms network in the Brajrajnagar region. During that arrest, police discovered five country-made pistols and ammunition, which he was said to have sourced from districts in Bihar for distribution among local criminals. He had previously been granted bail by the Orissa High Court in that earlier case.
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra reiterated the district’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against organized crime and illegal arms trafficking, especially in mining and industrial areas where these criminal networks frequently operate. He remarked that Prasad had fired upon the police team and attempted to flee, leaving them with no choice but to respond with force.
The SP further stated that law enforcement is closely monitoring Prasad’s associates and potential arms suppliers to identify any broader criminal network.
