Rayagada: Protesting against what he called his wrongful conviction, Netrananda Dandasena, former School Sub Inspector and prime accused in the murder of Itishree Pradhan, a lady teacher of Tikiri Upper Primary School, began a fast-unto-death inside Rayagada Sub Jail on Wednesday.
Informing the media, Rajkishore Nayak, superintendent of Rayagada Sub Jail said Dandasena informed him about his fast-unto-death inside the cell through a petition at about 9 AM.
“In response to his petition, we have made arrangements for a special cell and special warder for him. Apart from this, provision of adequate water has been made for him inside the cell,” Nayak said.
He also informed that he has informed the Additional Director General (ADG), Prison; DIG, Berhampur, Senior Jail Superintendent, Koraput and Rayagada district collector about Dandasena’s fast-unto-death.
Nayak further said Dandasena would be taken to Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital for a health check-up amidst tight security later in the day.
Notably, Dandasena had told the media that he would stage fast-unto-death inside the jail in protest against his wrongful confinement.
“Injustice has been meted out to me. I have become a victim of conspiracy by the senior bureaucrats and political leaders. I will stage fast-unto-death until I get the justice,” he had said.
The District and Sessions Judge Court on Tuesday had awarded life imprisonment to Dandasena in the murder of Itishree Pradhan who died at a private hospital at Vishakhapatnam on November 1, 2013, five days after she was set on fire inside a hostel room of Tikiri Upper Primary School while asleep.