An undertrial prisoner (UTP) lodged in Berhampur circle jail for past two days after his arrest in connection with an illicit liquor trade case died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on Friday.
Mitu Behera, who was arrested by Golanthara police on June 1, reportedly fell ill this morning following which he was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital. However, doctors at the hospital declared him dead.
Meanwhile, the family members of Behera alleged that he was tortured in the custody by the police before being shifted to the jail which eventually led to his death.
“He was in jail for the past two days. We were informed that he suffered fits today morning. When we reached the hospital, we found his body in the mortuary. The police and some liquor mafia beat him to death,” alleged a relative of the decreased.
However, the jail authorities dismissed the allegations of any kind of torture of Behera and two others arrested on the day.
The authorities claimed Behera, who was alcoholic, developed complications and suffered fits today morning. While two were shifted to a de-addiciton centre, Behera was shifted to MKCG as his condition worsened. However, he died at the hospital.
The health condition of the two others was also not stable, sources said.