Wanted criminal who opened fire at policeman sourced arms from Bihar

A wanted criminal, who opened fire at a Head Constable before being overpowered on Saturday night, had sourced his country-made firearm from Bihar.

Bathula Prabhakar, wanted in at least 80 cases in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh particularly pertaining to theft and burglaries, was taken into custody by Gachibowli police.

Since 2013, he was arrested seven times by the police of both the states, including P.M. Palem police in 2020 for 57 house burglary cases.

During questioning, Prabhakar confessed to his involvement in 23 recent cases, of which 11 were in Telangana. Police are now questioning him about his whereabouts following his escape from the custody of Andhra Pradesh police two years ago (March 23, 2022).

Following a tip-off, when the Madhapur CCS and Gachibowli police reached Prism Pub at Gachibowli on Saturday to arrest Prabhakar, he allegedly opened fire at the policemen and bouncers at the pub. However, he was caught and shifted to the police station.

Police seized three country-made weapons with six magazines, 451 live rounds (7.6 mm), ₹62,000 cash, an iron rod, an electrical iron cutter with blades, three screw-drivers, an electrical tester, and an electrical extension board.

According to the police, to conduct a recce, Prabhakar selected top colleges and entered them on the pretext of paying a relative’s fee. He always took buses and autos and carried firearms and other equipment to break into colleges at night, where he would hide and leave early in the morning. Further investigation is on.