Kataka: A 33-year-old patient admitted to the Mental Health department of SCB Medical College and Hospital here died Wednesday after he was allegedly assaulted by security guards at the premier hospital, prompting his family to lodge a police complaint. The deceased was identified as Srikant Dash of Pahanga village in Jajpur district. According to the complaint lodged by his wife and relatives at Mangalabag police station, Srikant had been using intoxicants, and the family had helped him stop the habit.
Later, Srikant became agitated frequently and suffered seizures. Two days ago, his family brought him to SCB Medical College and Hospital. After consulting doctors at the Medicine department, Srikant was admitted to the Mental Health department. Srikant’s wife Sasmita alleged that the former insisted on leaving for his village Tuesday afternoon, but security guards stopped him and began assaulting him. She claimed Srikant entered a toilet and locked the door to protect himself from the assault. However, the guards brought him out, tied him to a hospital bed and allegedly beat him with a pipe.
Although she repeatedly pleaded with the security guards to untie Srikant’s hands and legs and stop beating him, they didn’t pay heed. She was subsequently removed from the area. Later that night, the family was informed about Srikant’s death.
A postmortem of the body was conducted at the hospital in the presence of a scientific team and a magistrate. Zone-3 ACP Girija Chakraborty said police would investigate the allegations by recording statements of eyewitnesses and examining CCTV footage from the department. “It is unfortunate that such an incident occurred here. We will extend all cooperation to the police,” SCB superintendent Jyotish Chandra Choudhury said. Srikant’s family demanded stringent action against the security guards and others allegedly involved, besides compensation.
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