Undertrial prisoner dies in Bhanjanagar jail of Odisha’s Ganjam; family alleges murder

Bhanjanagar: An undertrial prisoner (UTP) identified as 40-year-old Charan Behera, who belonged to Tanarada village of Ganjam, died today morning in Bhanjanagar jail in the district. However, the family of the deceased alleged that the UTP has been murdered.

Charan was earlier arrested by Bellaguntha police in connection with a theft case and was lodged in jail five days ago. The UTP was spotted in an unconscious state in the morning and was admitted to a hospital in Bhanjanagar. Later, doctors at the health facility declared him ‘dead’.

After getting this information, Charan’s family reached the hospital but he was no more.

The UTP is survived by two sons and a daughter. “Wounds were seen on several parts of his (Charan’s) body. We suspect that he has been murdered by the jail authorities by thrashing him severely. We demand a high-level inquiry into the incident and justice for the family. We also demand adequate compensation for the untimely demise of our father,” the elder son of the deceased UTP alleged.

Despite attempts, views of the jail authorities could not be obtained.