SOHELA(BARGARH):A 62-year-old man, identified as Krushna Chandra Hati, who was arrested by Excise department on charges of bootlegging, died under mysterious circumstances in the court verandah in Sohela on Tuesday. His family claimed that Krushna had gone to Sohela with his son Laxman. Before he could be produced in the court, Krushna died on the premises.
The lady Excise constable, who was in-charge of the case, informed the higher officials, who reached the spot after one hour and shifted Krushna to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
Sohela police said the Excise personnel had swooped down on Badmal village under Melchamunda police limits and had picked up Krushna on charges of bootlegging. They had also seized 20 pouches of country liquor from him. He died while waiting to be produced before the court, police added. However, Laxman claimed that he had brought his father to surrender before the Excise personnel over a bootlegging case.
While he had gone out to arrange bail, his father was taken to the court where he died under mysterious circumstances. Laxman also alleged that Sohela police refused to accept his complaint and are trying to cover up the case.