Phulbani: Tension flared Wednesday following the death of an undertrial inmate lodged in the Phulbani Circle Jail, with the deceased’s family alleging police assault led to his death.
The deceased has been identified as Heran Nayak of Penji Sahi.
Sources said, Nayak was arrested by Model police April 13 in connection with a theft case along with a minor.
Nayak and the minor were allegedly involved in snatching a bag containing Rs 10,000 and other items from plainclothes police personnel April 12.
He was produced in court the following day and remanded to judicial custody after being denied bail.
However, Nayak reportedly fell ill inside the jail Wednesday morning and was rushed to the district headquarters hospital, where he died at around 10am while undergoing treatment.
Family members, who reached the hospital after receiving information, alleged that Nayak had been assaulted in police custody, leading to his death.
They also accused the police of threatening them and later met the Superintendent of Police, demanding a thorough inquiry.
Police, however, denied the allegations.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Shubhrajit Biswal said Nayak had not been assaulted and termed the claims “baseless”.
He added that the exact cause of death would be ascertained after the post-mortem report and that an investigation was underway.