Patient found dead inside Odisha hospital, family alleges foul play

Dhenkanal: A 38-year-old patient was found dead on the premises of District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Odisha's Dhenkanal, hours after being discharged from the facility. The family has alleged foul play and demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Police recovered the body from a secluded area inside the hospital campus on Sunday morning after hospital authorities alerted them about the incident. The body has been sent for postmortem examination, while an unnatural death case has been registered. Investigating Officer-in-Charge of Dhenkanal Town Police Station, Mr Dhiren Behera, said no external injury marks were observed during the preliminary examination, reports The Indian Express.

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Hospital officials said the man had been admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital on Saturday with complaints of gas and constipation. His brother had accompanied him during his admission. After receiving treatment, the patient reportedly informed the attending staff that his condition had improved and requested discharge.

Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Sanjay Mahapatra stated that the patient requested discharge at around 9 pm on Saturday. As no relatives were present at the time, he was discharged after repeatedly insisting that he no longer required hospital care and was fit to leave the facility.

According to the hospital administration, the patient's family reached the hospital later that night but could not locate him. They subsequently began searching the hospital premises. At around 10 am on Sunday, hospital staff noticed a body lying in an isolated area within the DHH campus and immediately alerted the hospital authorities. The deceased was later identified by his family members, following which Dhenkanal Town Police were informed. The police recovered the body and sent it for postmortem examination.

Authorities have not indicated any suspected cause of death so far, stating that further findings will depend on the postmortem examination and the ongoing police investigation.

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