De-addiction centre inmate dies in Bhadrak; family alleges murder

A man who was admitted to a de-addiction centre died on Wednesday with his family alleging that he was beaten to death by the staff of the centre. 

The incident was reported from Dhamnagar in Bhadrak district. The deceased has been identified as Kedarnath Parida, a resident of Jajpur district. 

According to sources, on January 4, Kedarnath’s family admitted him to Bastab alcohol & drug treatment centre.

Yesterday, the rehab centre informed the family members of Kedarnath that he was sick. Later, they informed the victim's family that he died at Bhadrak Hospital. 

The victim’s family rushed to the hospital and saw injury marks on Kedarnath’s body.

Kedarnath’s family lodged a complaint at the police station against the rehab centre.The police have initiated a probe into the matter. 

Till the filing of this report, no statement was released from the rehab centre. 

“Eight days ago we visited the rehab centre and gave him (Kedarnath) some money. The rehab centre authorities also showed us the CCTV footage of him doing well. Yesterday they called up and informed us that he is suffering from pneumonia and asked us to come. Upon reaching the hospital, we found him dead,” said a relative of Kedarnath. 

Another relative alleged, “We found bruises in several part of his body. The staff have beaten Kedarnath to death.”