College student drowns to death in Devidwar Ghat in Odisha’s Cuttack, body fished out

Banki: A youth who was a BCA Final-Year student met his watery grave yesterday afternoon while taking a bath in Devidwar Ghat of Mahanadi river in Banki of Cuttack district. The youth’s body was recovered today. He had gone to the picnic spot along with his younger brother and a few friends.

The deceased student was identified as Akash Kumar Routray, the elder son of Arun Kumar Routray from Nirakarpur locality under this police limit of Khordha district. Akash’s younger sibling has been identified as Prakash.

“My two sons Akash and Prakash along with a few of their friends had gone to Devidwar Ghat at Gayalabanka for a feast. When the preparation of food was about to be over, Akash said to others that all of them would have the feast together after the brother duo will return from the Ghat taking a bath. Unfortunately, Akash slipped deep into the water and drowned,” the deceased’s father said.

“Akash screamed for help but to no avail. Despite the best attempts made by Prakash, my elder son could not be saved. Later, some local divers on country-made boats launched a frantic search but failed. A team of fire services personnel also could not trace him out and the search operation was stopped after the fall of night. Akash’s body was fished out today,” the deceased’s father added.

“Five students had come to a picnic spot under Kainmundi outpost limits for feasting. An unnatural death (U/d) case No-28/2023 has been registered and a detailed probe initiated, which is underway. The body will be handed over to the deceased’s family after post-mortem,” Banki police station Inspector-in-charge (IIC) Kabuli Barik expressed.