Bhubaneswar: Rayagada Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Siba Prasad Padhi, who was suspended on May 2 for not joining duty despite strict instructions from the Odisha government in view of the impending cyclone Fani, died on Tuesday.
His suspension order was revoked the same day, but he breathed his last before the notification could reach him.
According to sources, Padhi died of heart attack while undergoing treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Bengaluru. However, social media platforms were abuzz with stories about him holidaying in Bengaluru while the state was readying for the severe cyclonic storm.
A well-know paediatrician, Padhi was diagnosed with cancer a few months back and he had since been making frequent trips to Visakhapatnam for treatment. On May 13, he had a surgery and suffered a cardiac arrest on May 17. He was then shifted to the ICU and kept under observation. He died at 1 pm on Tuesday, the sources added.
Following the busting of the rumours, questions are now being raised as to whether the government had conducted a thorough inquiry before placing him under suspension or it acted in a hurry.
