Man’s death in Gajapati: Vehicle involved in accident was engaged for VK Pandian’s security, says Congress

Politics is now active in connection with a road accident in which a person lost his life in Gajapati district. The Congress on Wednesday alleged that the police vehicle that hit the motorist was engaged for the security of 5T Chairman VK Pandian.

At a presser, the Congress questioned whether a hit-and-run case will be registered in connection with the incident or not. Senior Congress leader Bijay Patnaik said that it was the responsibility of the person for whom the vehicle was engaged to meet and provide compensation to the family of the youth who died in the accident.

So far, VK Pandian or Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has not uttered a single word on the incident, said Patnaik.

“The vehicle was for Pandian’s Gajapati visit and police were covering the visit. I don’t know under which provision the Police provided security cover to Pandian. In the recent amendment of 106, punishment has been clearly mentioned if a person dies in a hit and run case,” said Patnaik.

According to Patnaik, in such cases the driver and those responsible, there is provision of jail term up to 5 years and if it is not reported then there is a provision of jail term of 10 years. In this case, the Superintendent of Police is responsible, he said.

“As it was a police vehicle, whether the law will be applicable to it or not,” questioned Patnaik.

It is pertinent to mention here that Saras Anand of Parisal village had died in the road accident. As per reports, the government vehicle had hit Anand’s bike when he was returning after attending Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha programme at Ramgiri on Tuesday.

Following the incident, Anand was rushed to R Udaygiri Hospital. However, he succumbed to the injuries.

Congress MLA Dasarathi Gamang said, “The Congress party is demanding Rs 1 crore compensation for the family of the deceased.”

Meanwhile, VK Pandian or Odisha government officials could not be contacted over the allegations levelled by the Congress.