Cuttack Psychiatry Patient Dies After Alleged Assault And Restraint By Hospital Security Personnel

A man admitted to the psychiatry department of the state-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack died early Wednesday, with his family alleging that he was assaulted and restrained by hospital security personnel. The death has prompted a police investigation, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and the patient’s subsequent death. The man, identified as Srikanta Das, had been admitted to the hospital on September 28 for psychiatric treatment, according to his family.

Das died at around 4:30 am on Wednesday, following which his wife approached Mangalabag police station and lodged a complaint alleging that he had been assaulted inside the hospital premises. The family claimed that Das had developed an alcohol dependence over the past year and had occasionally behaved erratically. They said they took him to the psychiatry department after being advised by neighbours. The family has alleged that his condition deteriorated after an altercation with security personnel late Tuesday night.

According to his wife, Das had remained asleep for much of Tuesday evening and had not caused any disturbance. She alleged that around 9 pm, he insisted on leaving the hospital and said he wanted to return home. The family claims that when a security guard prevented him from leaving, several people intervened and allegedly assaulted him using plastic pipes. His wife alleged that four or five people were involved in the assault and claimed that injuries were visible on several parts of his body.

The family has also alleged that Das was subsequently restrained using chains and rope and was administered an injection. His mother claimed that he had injuries on his ears, thighs, back and both hands. However, the allegations have not yet been established independently, and police are investigating the circumstances in which the injuries occurred and the cause of death. A separate local report said the family had alleged that both security personnel and an attendant were involved in the assault.

Cuttack Assistant Commissioner of Police (Zone-II) Girija Shankar Chakraborty said police would conduct an inquest in the presence of a scientific team and an executive magistrate before the post-mortem examination. He said investigators would examine the post-mortem findings along with hospital admission and treatment records before deciding on further action. Police have also taken possession of CCTV footage from the relevant area as part of the investigation.

The superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital said there was no justification for assaulting anyone inside a medical institution and assured police that the hospital would cooperate with the investigation. The exact cause of Das’s death is expected to be determined through the post-mortem examination and other evidence collected during the inquiry. Police have not yet announced any final findings or established responsibility for the alleged assault.

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