Bhubaneswar: The Opposition has launched a scathing attack on the state government after a patient was allegedly beaten to death at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Kataka.
The incident has sparked outrage across Odisha, with the opposition accusing the BJP government of turning SCB into a “hub of torture instead of service”.
At a press conference on Thursday, BJD leaders Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Bijay Nayak and Dr Lenin Mohanty condemned the government’s silence.
Nayak alleged that a patient seeking mental health treatment was locked inside a toilet and fatally assaulted by security personnel, while hospital authorities remained unaware. He reminded that earlier this year, a fire at SCB claimed 13 lives, yet no senior official was held accountable.
The leaders criticised the government for failing to utilise the Rs 5,000 crore sanctioned by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to upgrade SCB into a world-class hospital. They alleged that several departments in the premier hospital are now on the verge of closure.
The BJD demanded immediate clarification from the Health Minister on the incident.
READ ALSO: Patient Dies After Suspected Assault By Guards At SCB Medical College & Hospital In Odisha’s Kataka
On the electoral front, Bijay Nayak raised concerns over irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, alleging “exclusion of 27.5 lakh voters” and suspicious voluntary retirement of the State Chief Electoral Officer.
Dr Mohanty added that attempts were made to exclude particular communities from voter rolls under BJP pressure, calling the developments “a matter of shame”.