Gujarat: Prohibition and GujCTOC accused tries to flee custody, shot in arm

Ahmedabad: An accused wanted in a Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GujCTOC) Act case was shot in the arm by the state monitoring cell (SMC) team after he allegedly attempted to escape from police custody near Shamlaji in Aravalli district on Friday. The accused, Sukhlal Dangi, a 37-year-old resident of Dhasa in Rajasthan's Udaipur district, was injured in the firing and later admitted to Himmatnagar Civil Hospital for treatment.Police said Dangi, also known as Shakaji Dangi, was brought to Gujarat from Rajasthan after being arrested by the SMC in connection with a GujCTOC case linked to organised prohibition offences. During the transit near Shamlaji, the accused allegedly tried to flee and attacked the police personnel escorting him, prompting the team to open fire in self-defence.According to officials, inspector Bhavesh Rathod warned the accused before firing a round that struck Dangi on his right bicep. The accused was first taken to the Shamlaji Community Health Centre (CHC) and later shifted to Himmatnagar Civil Hospital for further treatment.Hospital sources said Dangi was brought to the emergency department around 1.08pm on Friday. Medical exams, including an X-ray and sonography, were conducted. Doctors found a 2.2cm entry-exit wound around 10cm above the elbow on his right arm. His condition is stated to be stable, and he remains under medical observation.Officials said a police constable sustained minor injuries during the scuffle with the accused before the firing incident.Superintendent of Police (SMC) Mayur Chavda said that Dangi has a long criminal record and is involved in 36 prohibition-related offences. He was also a wanted accused in a GujCTOC case being investigated by the SMC."An SMC team went to Rajasthan to apprehend him. He was arrested in Udaipur and was brought to Gandhinagar when he attempted to strangle the vehicle driver, causing the police vehicle to nearly meet with an accident," Chavda said."In that situation, one of the policemen fired a round which hit him in the right bicep," he added.Police registered an attempt to murder case against Dangi for allegedly attacking the police team during transit.Following the incident, tight security was deployed at Himmatnagar Civil Hospital, where the accused is undergoing treatment under police guard. Officials said he will be taken into custody for further interrogation once discharged from hospital.