CUTTACK: The death of a mentally challenged person due to physical injuries allegedly caused by police action has once again put the men in khaki under scanner. The 44-year-old victim, Akula Senapati of Mali Sahi village in the district, was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, here on Saturday and succumbed on late Sunday night.
According to the FIR filed by Ranjan Kumar Nayak, brother-in-law of the deceased, at Mangalabag police station, ASI Bhagaban Sahu, Havildar PK Patra and four other police officials of Narasinghpur police station conducted a raid on Akula’s house on Friday night. They dragged Akula from the house and assaulted him mercilessly. He succumbed to injuries, the FIR stated.
Refuting the allegation, SP (Rural), Cuttack Madhab Chandra Sahoo said a 50-year-old woman had filed an FIR with Narasinghpur police on December 6 alleging that Akula had outraged her modesty and attacked her. Acting on the FIR, police had summoned Akula.
As he did not turn up at the police station, the ASI and other staff conducted the raid. Akula, who tried to flee during the raid, was injured in the scuffle with cops, the SP said adding that he was rushed to Narasinghpur CHC from where he was shifted to SCB Medical College. After post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family.
The SP said on the basis of FIR filed by Kapila Nayak, father-in-law of the deceased, a case has been registered at Narasinghpur police station. The ASI and Havildar have been withdrawn from the police station and shifted to headquarters. Headquarters DSP (Crime) Ashok Kumar Patnaik has been directed to conduct a probe into the matter, the SP informed.
“It is an unfortunate incident in which an accused has succumbed to his injuries. I have ordered an inquiry and action will be initiated against whoever will be found responsible,” the SP said.
Meanwhile, tension ran high in Mali Sahi as Akula’s death news reached the village. More than 200 irate locals detained the ambulance carrying the dead body and staged demonstration in front of Narasinghpur Club Square. The agitation was withdrawn after the administration provided `10,000 from Red Cross and `2,000 from Harishchandra Yojana towards cremation. The administration also assured to provide ` two lakhs as compensation from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, rehabilitate wife of the deceased as per her educational qualification and take appropriate action against erring officials after completion of the investigation.