Psychiatric patient dies at Cuttack Hospital, family alleges assault

Cuttack: A 33-year-old psychiatric patient died under mysterious circumstances at SCB Medical College and Hospital, with his family alleging that he was assaulted by security personnel and attendants at the facility.

According to the news reports, the deceased, a resident of Jajpur Road, had been admitted to the SCB Mental Health Institute on September 28. He was found dead around 4 am on Wednesday, two days after his admission.

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The family’s allegations emerged following the postmortem examination, which reportedly found multiple bruises on his body. His relatives alleged that he had been beaten to death inside the hospital. However, the allegations have not yet been established, and the exact circumstances leading to his death remain under investigation.

Police have registered a case based on an FIR lodged by the deceased’s brother and launched an investigation, ACP Girija Shankar Chakraborty said, reports TNIE.

As part of the investigation, police are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death and the allegations of assault. Further details are awaited.

Medical Superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Jyotish Chandra Choudhury, said the hospital would extend all necessary support to police investigating the allegation. “I got information about the incident, but I don’t have the details. We will cooperate with police in the investigation,” he said. A patient can be restrained physically to prevent self-harm. But no one can physically assault a patient,” the medical superintendent said, reports PTI.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has once again come under scrutiny after fresh allegations of negligence and staff misconduct inside the critical care unit have surfaced. The new claims alleged lapses in supervision and staffing practices inside the ICU. A whistleblower, who had earlier shared the viral video from the unit, has now alleged that senior officials remain negligent while junior-level employees are left to manage critical responsibilities

Also Read:SCB Medical College Hospital faces fresh ICU negligence allegations