Youth Dies After Bike Collides With Jatra Artiste Rani Panda’s Car In Odisha’s Cuttack

Cuttack: A youth died after the motorcycle he was riding allegedly collided head with the car of Jatra artist Rani Panda on Mundali-Athgarh road in Odisha’s Cuttack on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Sukanta Behera (28) of Rajnagar village.

According to sources, Panda was returning to Bhubaneswar with her driver after attending a marriage reception at 10 pm on Friday night when her car collided with Behera’s bike at Dalkhai Square. The accident took place when Behera was reportedly going to pick up his dinner meal from a nearby hotel.

He was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in a critical condition and succumbed to his injuries early on Saturday morning.

Tension prevailed on the spot after the road mishap. On getting information, Athgarh police arrived at the spot and pacified the locals.

Panda was taken to Athgarh police station for further questioning in connection with the accident, and her driver Sumant Mallik was detained. “I was driving at a speed of 50-60 km/hr when the bike rider collided head-on with our car at a very speed,” said Mallik.

Meanwhile, Behera’s family has demanded compensation and the locals are likely to stage a road blockade.