Sambalpur encounter: Notorious criminal shot, arrested; pistol and Corex seized
Synopsis
A routine vehicle check in Sambalpur turned into a gunfight at 5 am when a fleeing criminal allegedly opened fire on Burla Police. The accused, Manish Sahu — wanted in dacoity, arms, and drug cases — was shot in the leg, arrested, and found carrying a pistol and ten cartons of Corex syrup. Three associates were also detained, exposing what police say is a network straddling illegal arms and narcotics in interior Odisha.
Key Takeaways
Manish Sahu , a notorious criminal, was shot in the right leg and arrested by Burla Police near Fishery Chhak, Sambalpur on 17 May 2025 at around 5 am .
Sahu allegedly fired three rounds at police during a vehicle chase; officers retaliated with two rounds in self-defence.
Seized items include one pistol , one live bullet , three empty cartridges , five mobile phones , and ten cartons of Corex cough syrup .
Sahu is reportedly linked to dacoity , illegal arms possession, and the illicit trade of Corex cough syrup.
Three associates of Sahu were also arrested following the encounter.
Police have intensified checks in Sambalpur district and launched a wider investigation into the criminal network.
A notorious criminal, identified as Manish Sahu, was shot in the right leg and taken into custody following a police encounter carried out by Burla Police near Fishery Chhak in Sambalpur district, Odisha, in the early hours of Saturday, 17 May 2025. The confrontation unfolded after Sahu allegedly opened fire on a police team during a vehicle-checking operation, triggering a high-speed chase and an exchange of gunfire.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to officials, a Burla Police team was conducting routine vehicle checks near Platinum Chhak at around 5 am when officers signalled a Swift car to stop. The driver allegedly ignored the signal and accelerated toward the Burla Right Dyke area in an apparent bid to flee.
Police gave chase. During the pursuit, the accused allegedly fired three rounds at the police team from inside the moving vehicle. Officers retaliated in self-defence, discharging two rounds. One bullet struck Manish Sahu in his right leg. He was subsequently apprehended and shifted for medical treatment.
Criminal Background of the Accused
Manish Sahu is reportedly linked to multiple serious offences, including dacoity, illegal arms possession, and the illicit trade of Corex cough syrup — a controlled substance frequently misused for its codeine content. Authorities describe him as a habitual offender with an established criminal record in the region.
Following Sahu's arrest, police also detained three associates linked to the same criminal network.
Seized Items and Evidence
The post-encounter search yielded a significant haul of contraband and evidence. Seized items include:
One pistol, one live bullet, three empty cartridges, the Swift car used in the escape attempt, five mobile phones, and ten cartons of Corex cough syrup.
The seizure points to an operation that straddled both the illegal arms trade and the narcotics supply chain — a combination that officials say is increasingly common in interior Odisha districts.
Investigation and Follow-Up Action
Police have confirmed that a full investigation is underway to map the extent of the criminal network and establish the precise roles of the four arrested individuals in illegal arms and drug-related activities across Sambalpur district. Authorities have intensified vehicle checks in the area and are implementing additional preventive measures to disrupt similar criminal operations.
This incident reflects a broader pattern of armed criminal activity in the Sambalpur region that law enforcement has been working to suppress through increased patrolling and intelligence-led operations. With four arrests and a weapons haul in hand, the focus now shifts to identifying the wider supply chain behind the seized arms and contraband.
Point of View
Not a lone offender. What the investigation must now establish is whether local supply chains have institutional protection, which past cases in the region have hinted at but rarely proven. The intensity of the police response — a pre-dawn chase, an exchange of fire, and four arrests in a single operation — signals that Sambalpur authorities have moved from reactive policing to targeted interdiction. Whether that shift is sustained beyond this case will be the real test.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manish Sahu and why was he arrested in Sambalpur?
Manish Sahu is a reportedly notorious criminal from the Sambalpur region of Odisha, linked to multiple cases including dacoity, illegal arms possession, and the illicit trade of Corex cough syrup. He was arrested on 17 May 2025 after allegedly opening fire on a Burla Police team during a vehicle-checking operation and sustaining a bullet injury to his right leg in the retaliatory exchange.
What items were seized during the Sambalpur police encounter?
Police seized one pistol, one live bullet, three empty cartridges, a Swift car used in the escape attempt, five mobile phones, and ten cartons of Corex cough syrup from Manish Sahu and his associates following the encounter near Fishery Chhak, Sambalpur.
How did the Burla Police encounter with Manish Sahu begin?
The encounter began around 5 am on 17 May 2025 during a routine vehicle-checking operation near Platinum Chhak in Burla. Sahu allegedly ignored a police signal to stop, sped away, and then fired three rounds at the pursuing officers from inside the moving car before being shot and apprehended.
Were any police officers injured in the Sambalpur encounter?
According to officials, no police officers were reported injured in the exchange. Manish Sahu sustained a bullet injury to his right leg when police fired two rounds in self-defence and was subsequently shifted for medical treatment.
What is Corex cough syrup and why is its illegal trade significant?
Corex is a codeine-based cough syrup that is a controlled substance in India due to its potential for misuse and addiction. Its illegal trade is a growing concern in several Odisha districts, and its seizure alongside illegal firearms in this case suggests Sahu's network was involved in both narcotics and arms trafficking simultaneously.
