Undertrial prisoner dies in Odisha hospital; family cries foul

Kendrapara: An undertrial prisoner (UTP) lodged at Kendrapara Jail died while undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) on Thursday.

The deceased, Dhirendra Behera of Patalipanka village under Marshaghai block in the district, had been lodged at the jail after being arrested under POCSO Act in 2016, sources said.

According to reports, Behera complained of vomiting and severe stomach pain late last night following which he was admitted to the DHH but he died today morning.

Meanwhile, the family members of Dhirendra held the jail officials responsible for the death of the UTP.

“We rushed to the hospital after getting information from Marshaghai police at around 8 am today. However, he had died by the time we reached the hospital. He must have died due to negligence on the part of the jail authorities,” alleged Suryakanta Behera, a relative of the deceased.

The jail authorities are yet to be reached for comments in connection with the incident.