JAGATSINGHPUR : THE husband of a new mother was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a private nursing home here on Saturday, hours after she was admitted to the facility for delivery.
The deceased 32-year-old Arkahit Behera of Baragudipada within Balikuda police limits had taken his wife Kasturi Behera (26) to Cure Well Nursing Home after she complained of labour pain on Friday at 7.30 pm. Later at 8 pm, she delivered a baby boy. Later in the night, Arkahit was denied permission to stay with his wife in her room and asked to stay on the ground floor. However on Saturday morning, he was found dead by his brother Abadhut. Abadhut alleged there were signs of swelling on Arkahit’s head and `20,000 was found from his pocket. Meanwhile, his mobile phone was missing which raised suspicion around his death.
When Arkahit’s family members questioned the staff about the matter, the nursing home’s owner Anjan Das allegedly hurled abuses against them and got them removed from the hospital. He also threatened of harming the newborn baby and Arkahit’s wife if they revealed the matter to anyone, alleged Abadhut.
He immediately filed a complaint with Jagatsinghpur police alleging that his brother was killed by the hospital authorities over delay in payment of dues. The body was, meanwhile, taken to the Jagatsinghpur district headquarters hospital (DHH).
Superintendent of Jagatsinghpur DHH Ajay Swain said Arkahit was already dead by the time he was brought to the hospital. “The exact cause of his death can be ascertained after receiving postmortem report,” he added.
The incident has, meanwhile, sparked tension between the private nursing home staff and the DHH authorities. Police have collected the CCTV footages of the nursing home for investigation.
Jagatsinghpur police station IIC Gokul Ranjan Dash said an unnatural death case has been registered in this connection. “Besides, an atrocity case has been filed against the private nursing home staff for abusing and threatening the complainants. Further details can be revealed after verification of postmortem report,” he added.