Allegations have emerged that police murdered a man in the Gochhapada area of Kandhamal district. The family claims that a policeman beat Jyostha Bandki to death after a police van hit him. Bandki, a suspected marijuana dealer from Behrapada village in Boudh district, rode a bike with Dasiri Dagyal on September 26 when police, suspecting them of carrying drugs, chased them.
During the pursuit, the police patrol van rammed into them at Danganamu Ghat. While Dagyal fled the scene, a police officer allegedly beat Bandki after he fell. Believing he was dead, the officers reportedly discarded his body down the hill and took his bike back to the station.
Upon hearing the news, Bandki’s family arrived at the scene and found his lifeless body. They filed a formal complaint at Gochhapada police station, demanding that authorities take strict action against the involved officers. The incident has sparked tension in the Gochhapada area.
Kandhamal SP Shudhendu Kumar Poter has taken the allegations seriously. He announced that a DSP will lead an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bandki’s death, emphasizing that authorities will take strict action against any guilty officers.
The dog squad and scientific team investigated the site and sent the body for autopsy. Afterward, the family took the body for cremation.