Bhubaneswar: Nayapalli police today arrested a car driver in connection with the hit-and-run death of Odisha Chief Minister’s personal assistant (PA) Chandan Kumar Mahapatra. The fatal road mishap took place on June 11 at around 11.00 AM near Delta Square and Jaleswar temple here.

The accused was identified as Santosh Kumar Swain (32), son of Late Mohan Charan Swain. The driver resides at Plot No-1254 in Badasahi of Nayapalli village under Nayapalli police limits of BBSR UPD.

Police was tipped off about the presence of Santosh at a place leading to a raid and his arrest. Car driver Santosh was forwarded to a local court later in the day, a senior cop of the police station said.

Based on an FIR lodged by Chandan’s brother Ranjan Kumar Mahapatra, Nayapalli police had previously registered a case and launched a detailed probe into the fatal road mishap, and the investigation is still underway.

It is pertinent to mention, 31-year-old Chandan was the PA of newly-elected Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Chandan’s untimely death had occurred just a few hours before Majhi's official announcement as the CM. He joined the BJP meeting in the party office after attending Chandan’s cremation.

Chandan was a resident of Aiginia locality in Bhubaneswar and he was on his motorcycle when he met with an accident on the intervening day. The car hit his motorcycle and he fell from it and later succumbed to injuries.

Accused Santosh was driving his car on the wrong route leading to the demise of Chandan.