A domestic help employed at the official residence of Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra died due to suspected electrocution late Thursday night, police said.
The deceased was identified as Shankarshan Nag, 46, a resident of the Belpahar area in Balangir district. He had been working as a domestic aide at the minister’s quarters in Bhubaneswar for several months and was residing on the premises.
According to the Capital Police, the incident occurred when Nag was alone in a room with his father (also present at the residence as staff). The minister was not at home at the time, and Nag’s wife and daughter had gone to their village.
After Nag went missing for over half an hour, his father searched for him and found him unconscious near an electrical board in a room. He was rushed to Capital Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. A post-mortem was conducted on Friday, after which the body was handed over to the family.
Capital Police Inspector Radhakant Sahu (as per initial reports) and Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena stated that prima facie evidence points to accidental electrocution as the cause of death. An unnatural death case has been registered, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances.
Police noted that no foul play is suspected at this stage, though the post-mortem report will provide final confirmation.
The incident has drawn attention, with some opposition voices calling for a thorough probe into the “mysterious” circumstances.
