An undertrial prisoner (UTP) died at Bhim Bhoi Medical College & Hospital in Bolangir late Sunday night. The deceased has been identified as 80-year-old Bharat Chandra Deep of Nandola village under Turkela police station.
Deep was jailed in a POCSO case in 2017. He was released on bail for a few days. The trial of the case began in the POCSO court in Bolangir. Deep did not appear in court even after repeated notices. Therefore, an arrest warrant was issued in his name and the POCSO court.
On the 19th, the Turkela police arrested Bharat and produced him in court. Deep was sent to the Balangir jail on the orders of the POCSO court. Bharat, who was suffering from old age-related ailments and asthma, was taken ill yesterday and admitted to hospital. However, he passed away last night.
The Balangir Town Police conducted a videographed autopsy in the presence of a magistrate. The family of the deceased, being poor, has demanded compensation for the loss.
