A history-sheeter who had stepped out of the Additional Superintendent of Police’s office along with police personnel was shot at on a busy road on March 4. The accused opened fire from a revolver, and the bullet pierced deep into the victim’s right rib, leaving him critically injured. The shocking incident created panic across the city. The injured man has been identified as Omkar Jitendra Kamble (22), a resident of Samata Chowk in Sangliwadi, Sangli district. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a private hospital in Kolhapur for advanced treatment.
The incident took place at around 7:30 pm near the Badshah Petrol Pump on Sangli Road. Police said that the suspected attacker, Anurag Suryavanshi, a resident of Ichalkaranji, is currently absconding and efforts are underway to trace him and his accomplices. Since this is the first such firing incident reported in the city, it caused a major stir and kept the police on high alert. During the investigation, Sangli Road was temporarily closed to traffic. Later at night, Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta visited the spot, reviewed the situation and issued instructions to officers regarding the probe.
According to the police, a dispute had broken out a few months ago between Omkar Kamble and the suspect Anurag Suryavanshi over a love affair. The dispute had earlier escalated into a physical assault, following which a case was registered at Jaysingpur Police Station. Omkar Kamble and his associates had been arrested in that case but were later released on bail. In connection with preventive action related to that dispute, Omkar had been summoned to the Additional Superintendent of Police’s office earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, Omkar had informed the police that Anurag Suryavanshi and some of his associates were waiting outside the office and could be planning an attack. Following this, police constable Jagdish Patil from Jaysingpur Police Station was instructed to accompany Omkar. In the afternoon, Omkar left the office on a motorcycle with Patil seated behind him. As they reached near an animal feed shop close to Badshah Petrol Pump on Sangli Road, Anurag Suryavanshi, who arrived from behind on a motorcycle, suddenly came close and fired a shot from a revolver. The bullet struck Omkar in the right side of his rib. Due to the sudden firing, both Omkar and the police constable lost control and fell off the motorcycle.