A medical professional was injured in the leg after an armed burglar allegedly entered a house in Anand Society in Shirur, Pune district, and opened fire during a confrontation with the family early on October 16, according to a report by Sakal – Pune. Police have registered a case and deployed four teams to search for the suspect.
Umesh Chandanmal Chhajed, 45, sustained a bullet injury to his left calf and was initially treated locally before being shifted to a private hospital in Pune, the report said. The incident took place at around 4.30 am after Chhajed woke up when his pet dog began barking.
According to the account given to police, Chhajed had taken the dog outside through the rear door and pulled the door shut. When he returned, he found it open and suspected that someone had entered the house. He reportedly saw the intruder hiding in the hall and raised an alarm.
A struggle followed as Chhajed’s parents, daughter and wife came to his assistance. The suspect allegedly pulled out a pistol when the family tried to restrain him. Police said he pointed the weapon near Chhajed’s head and attempted to fire. During another struggle, a shot was fired and struck Chhajed’s left leg. The suspect allegedly tried to fire again, but the weapon jammed.
The family then managed to take the pistol from the suspect, who escaped from the house. The report said Chhajed’s 12-year-old daughter, Manvi, also resisted the intruder during the confrontation. His wife, Priya, reportedly grabbed the suspect’s shirt as he fled, leaving him to escape in a vest.
Police told Sakal – Pune that CCTV footage and information from local residents indicated that the suspect had been moving around Anand Society from about 2.30 am. Investigators said he entered the neighbouring bungalow of Ajit Ostwal through a gallery and attempted to break open a cupboard before entering the Chhajed residence.
The incident followed an alleged attempt on the previous day to snatch a woman’s mangalsutra at gunpoint in the vegetable market area of Shirur, according to the report. Police are investigating whether the two incidents are connected; the supplied report does not establish that link.
Additional Superintendent of Police Dr Shubham Kumar, Shirur Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ravindra Bhosale, Police Inspector Vinod Patil and other officers visited the scene. Kumar said the firing at the spot had been confirmed and that four police teams had been sent to trace the suspect. The case has been registered on Chhajed’s complaint under provisions relating to an armed attack and illegal possession of a firearm.
