Bhubaneswar, 8 September (H.S.): A routine vehicle checking turned into a tragic incident late last night when a speeding SUV rammed into a police checkpost at Dasamail Lebadi Chhak under Sohela police limits in Bargarh district, leaving a Sub-Inspector critically injured.

The injured officer has been identified as Amit Dhal, Sub-Inspector of Sohela police station. According to police sources, Dhal was supervising the inspection drive when the SUV struck him. He sustained severe injuries to his waist and thigh and was immediately shifted to a private hospital, where his condition remains critical.

Eyewitnesses said the SI was standing in front of the checkpost, directing vehicles towards the inspection point, when the SUV driver, allegedly at high speed, lost control and hit him, tossing him several feet away.

Following the collision, fellow personnel rushed to his aid. Meanwhile, the SUV driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Police have seized the four-wheeler and launched a manhunt to trace the absconding driver.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident to determine whether it was an accident caused by reckless driving or a deliberate act.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda