Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Aug 6: In a shocking incident at Hejamady tollgate on Tuesday, cattle thieves, who were being chased by the police from Gangolli, rammed their vehicle into the on-duty officers in an attempt to escape, injuring three people. Despite the attack, one of the accused was successfully apprehended by the police.

The injured include Basavaraj Kanashetty, police sub-inspector (Investigation) at Gangolli station, constable Sandeep, and toll patrol vehicle driver Lohith. The arrested accused has been identified as Mohammed Sharoz (29), a resident of Suratkal. He has been produced before the court.

On Tuesday, a police team from Gangolli, in a private car, intercepted a SUV transporting stolen cattle. The police attempted to detain the accused — including driver Sharoz, Safaan from Kaup, Azeem from Kaup, and Rajik from Bajpe — when one of the accused instructed the driver to ram the vehicle into the officers.

Following the instruction, Sharoz hit PSI Basavaraj with the car, causing him to fall. The car then ran over his hand. Due to the presence of KSRTC buses and other vehicles ahead, the accused reversed the vehicle, during which constable Sandeep also sustained injuries.

The vehicle then collided with the toll patrol vehicle, injuring its driver Lohith. The impact caused the toll patrol vehicle to hit PSI Pavan Nayak’s car, which was parked behind. Amidst the chaos, the officers managed to nab the driver, Sharoz.

Meanwhile, another accused who was sitting in the left seat took control of the vehicle, rammed into an oncoming car, pushed it aside, and escaped from the narrow space along with the remaining accomplices.

It has been revealed that four to five cattle were stuffed violently into the vehicle.

A district-wide road blockade has been launched to trace the vehicle. A case has been registered at Padubidri police station for attempting to kill on-duty police officers and damaging public property. The investigation is ongoing.