BALASORE: The district administration on Friday denied that the body of Rehman Khan of Soro area was shown any disrespect by the ambulance driver. Refuting the reports published in a section of media, Collector Pramod Kumar Das said the body was transported in Mahaprayan vehicle and its driver did not demand money.A joint inquiry was conducted by Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) and Soro Tehsildar following the direction from Health Minister Pratap Jena.
The Collector said Khan, a resident of Kharida village within Soro police limits, was taken to Soro CHC by his neighbour Jhuna Baida on Wednesday. He was later shifted and admitted in Balasore district headquarters hospital at about 12.30 am. He died during treatment at about 4.15 am.
‘‘On Jhuna’s request, the body was taken to Kharida in Mahaprayan vehicle free of cost. As Khan originally hails from Uttar Pradesh, the locals refused to receive the body. Later, the woman asked the driver to keep the body near a burial ground. The body was buried by local Kabarsthan committee,’’ Das added.
While the steps taken by Jhuna for treatment and conducting last rites of Khan were appreciated by all, the locals blamed a section of media which carried factually incorrect report.