Accused shot in hand after attacking police officer during transit near Shamlaji, FIR filed

 An accused wanted in an organised crime case was injured after police opened fire in self-defence when he allegedly attacked officers escorting him from Rajasthan to Gujarat and attempted to escape near Shamlaji in Aravalli district on Friday.

According to the State Monitoring Cell official, the accused — Sukhlal alias Shakaji alias Shankar Ruplal Dangi (Patel) — had been arrested from Udaipur in Rajasthan in connection with an organised crime case registered in Gandhinagar.

Police said the accused was wanted in a case registered by the State Monitoring Cell under provisions of the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act and other offences related to prohibition violations. Acting on technical and human intelligence, a team of officers travelled to Udaipur on March 12 and apprehended him from a residence in the Pratapnagar area.

After completing the necessary legal formalities at the local police station in Udaipur, the team began transporting the accused to Gujarat in a Hyundai Creta vehicle on Friday morning. The accused had been handcuffed and seated in the rear seat between two police personnel, while Head Constable Jagdishbhai Ranchhodbhai was driving the vehicle.

Police said that at around 11.25 am, when the team had crossed the RTO check-post near Shamlaji in Aravalli district, the accused suddenly attacked the driver from behind using the handcuffs.

According to the complaint, the accused struck the head constable on the head with the handcuffs and then looped the chain around his neck in an attempt to strangle him while the vehicle was in motion. The assault caused the driver to lose balance and created a risk to the lives of the police personnel inside the car.

The police inspector seated in the front passenger seat warned the accused to release the officer and drew his service weapon — a Glock pistol. When the accused allegedly continued the assault despite repeated warnings, the officer fired a single round aimed at the accused’s right hand to prevent further attack.

Police said the bullet struck the accused on the wrist and exited through the rear door of the vehicle. During the struggle, the driver lost control of the car, which scraped against a roadside railing and came to a halt, causing minor damage to the vehicle.

Both the injured accused and the head constable were immediately taken to the Community Health Centre at Shamlaji for primary treatment. Doctors later referred the accused to the civil hospital in Himmatnagar for further medical care, where he remains admitted as an indoor patient.

The accused attacked the police team in an attempt to evade arrest and obstruct officials from performing their duties. A case has been registered against him under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections relating to assault on public servants, attempt to cause grievous harm and obstruction of lawful duty.

Local police and forensic teams were called to the spot after the incident, and further investigation is underway. Officials said statements of the police personnel involved and other evidence are being examined as part of the probe.