Cuttack: A police officer suffered grave injuries in a deadly assault on him at Bayalish mouza here on Wednesday night while taking a notorious criminal in custody.

The criminal, Sushia alias Sushant Bhoi, was sent to jail on Thursday after he was produced before a court following his arrest on Wednesday night. Bhoi, a resident of Bhoi Sahi in Sadar police station area, was wanted in connection with several criminal cases.

Acting on a tip-off Bhoi was roaming around at Kalapada Bazar, sub-inspector N.C. Swain of Bayalish mouza police outpost raided the area along with a team of an assistant sub-inspector and two constables and arrested him on Wednesday night.

"On way to the police station near Sri Ram Chakka, Bhoi suddenly attacked Swain with a dagger inside a police car," said deputy commissioner of police Akhileswar Singh.

Bhoi had concealed the weapon near his ankle inside his sports shoes. The police team managed to gain control over him after much difficulty and snatch the nine-inch dagger from him.

"Swain survived the attack, but suffered grave injury on his forehead and left wrist," said an officer.

Following this, Sadar police also registered a fresh case against Bhoi for attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt and assaulting and obstructing to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty.