Minor boy dies as ‘illegal’ DJ vehicle overturns during Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Bhadrak

In a tragic incident during Rath Yatra celebrations, a minor boy lost his life after a DJ vehicle overturned in Anaharapur village under Dhamnagar block of Odisha’s Bhadrak district on Friday night.

The deceased has been identified as 14-year-old Soumyaranjan Raut, son of late Kishore Chandra Raut. According to eyewitnesses, the mishap occurred when the DJ vehicle lost balance while moving on an uneven stretch of road and overturned, crushing the boy beneath it.

Tension Grips The Village

Tension gripped the area following the incident, prompting the deployment of one platoon of police force along with Dhamnagar police personnel to maintain law and order.

Locals have alleged that despite a ban on DJ vehicles in Bhadrak district, such vehicles are frequently brought in illegally from neighbouring West Bengal during religious events, often leading to dangerous consequences. This incident has once again highlighted the lack of enforcement and oversight by the police and local administration.

“This is the fault of the DJ owner. The group had around 18 to 20 people — they could have kept children away from the vehicle. The DJ setup was 32 feet high and the road was narrow. All of them have fled,” alleged Niranjan Rout, a relative of the deceased minor. 

As of now, no official statement has been issued by the authorities regarding the incident.