Berhampur: A four-member team of State Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC), accompanied by Ganjam SP Harish Bisi, on Wednesday launched an investigation into the custodial death of Sushant Sahu at Kabisuryanagar police station, even as doctors who conducted the postmortem, preserved viscera and organ samples and sent them to the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Bhubaneswar to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The HRPC team visited Subalaya village, the native place of the deceased, and interacted with family members.
Officials are expected to collect detailed statements from the family and examine CCTV footage from the police station as part of the inquiry.
The postmortem examination of Sushant’s body was conducted under tight security at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, by a three-member medical board headed by Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Dr Sudipa Das. After the examination, the body was handed over to family members for cremation.
Dr Das said samples from various organs along with the viscera had been collected and dispatched to the State Forensic Science Laboratory for chemical and forensic analysis. “The exact cause of death will be known only after the final report is received,” she said.
Family Allegations and Background
Sahu, a polio-affected daily wage labourer, was reportedly picked up by police on May 25 in connection with an alleged attack on a police team during a raid on an illegal stone quarry near Subalaya village. Family members, including his wife Mamajini Pradhan, alleged he was illegally detained for nearly a week without being produced before a magistrate. They claimed he was subjected to severe torture, including beatings, pouring of hot water, and application of chilli powder, leading to his critical condition.
On the evening of May 31, police reportedly handed him over to relatives after obtaining signatures on a blank sheet. He was rushed first to local hospitals in Kabisuryanagar, then referred to MKCG, where he was declared dead on arrival around 1:30 am on June 1.
Controversy has deepened with reports that Sushant Sahu’s name did not appear in the FIR related to the quarry incident or the alleged attack on police, raising questions about the basis for his detention.
Police Action and Transfers
His death prompted the state police to initiate disciplinary action against the entire police station, including its IPS probationer inspector-in-charge. While the IPS officer was withdrawn from duty, three other officials – SI Samir Rout, ASI Baikunthanath Jena and Constable Suman Kumar Sahu – were placed under suspension on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Ganjam SP has transferred all 26 personnel posted at Kabisuryanagar Police Station and Balichai Outpost, including two sub-inspectors and three assistant sub-inspectors, to different subdivisions.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sought a detailed report from the Ganjam Collector and SP within three weeks, including the postmortem report, FIR, site inspection report, cause of death details and CCTV footage from the police lock-up.
Parallel Probes
Meanwhile, a 12-member fact-finding committee of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by state vice president Ramesh Chyau Patnaik, visited Subalaya village and met the bereaved family. The committee later submitted its report to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, demanding adequate compensation, employment support for a family member and strict action against those responsible for the death.
As multiple inquiries proceed simultaneously, the alleged custodial death, the third in the last fortnight, has sparked widespread concern, with demands growing for a transparent investigation and accountability.
