UTP’s body lying on ICU bed of Burla Medical since yesterday

Burla: Disturbing and insensitive to presence of other patients around, a dead body of an under-trial prisoner (UTP) has been allowed to lie on the bed inside the ICU ward of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar) in Burla since yesterday.

According to sources, the deceased identified as Subash Patel died at 3:05 am yesterday. However, due to legal formalities and protest from the family members of the deceased, the post-mortem could not be carried out.

Subash was lodged in the Sambalpur circle jail since October 2016 in connection with a robbery. As per the concerned Jailer, Subash complained of stomach pain on May 11 following which he was taken to the Sambalpur Sadar Hosital and later shifted to Burla medical on May 12.

He died while undergoing treatment.

“As his condition worsened he was transferred to the ICU on May 12 where he died on May 16th at 3:05AM. However, his family members did not cooperate in inquest and post-mortem. We have had discussions with the family members and post-mortem will be conducted today,” said jailer of Sambalpur circle jail, Sushant Rout.

The family of the deceased held medical team and jail authorities responsible for the incident. "We were informed about the matter a day after his death. Jail authorities and medical team treating him are responsible for the death", Aswini Swain, a relative of the deceased said.

Meanwhile, the body was videographed as per the guidelines of NHRC in presence of a magistrate and was sent for post-mortem. The magistrate assured of action after an inquiry.

"The matter will be investigated thoroughly taking the allegations of victim’s kin into consideration. Action will be taken as per the probe report", Executive magistrate Bimal Kumar Lenka said