Bhubaneswar: A state government official drowned in a pond while offering “Sraddha Pinda” (offering to departed soul) to his mother in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
According to sources, Prashant Kumar Mishra, who works in the Agriculture department had performed ‘Sraddha’ of his deceased mother in his house at VSS Nagar in the city. After completion of the rituals, he along with some relatives went to immerse the offering in the pond in Gadakana village under Mancheswar police limits.
While going inside the pond, Mishra’s legs slipped and he went deep into the water. As he did not swimming, he started drowning. His relatives tried to rescue him but failed in their efforts.
Later, Forest officials with the help of the locals started a search operation in the pond. After a prolonged search, they found the body of Mishra.
On being informed, police went to the village and sent the body for post-mortem. They have registered a case of unnatural death.