A doctor of the Raighar Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Nabarangpur district allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 to perform postmortem on a dead body.
He even refused to take any amount less than Rs 20,000 offered by members of the bereaved family.
According to information, Bhakta Ray, a resident of Kusumpur under the Raigher Police station, consumed poison on Wednesday morning allegedly due to a family dispute. Family members rushed him to the Raighar PHC where doctors declared him brought-dead and sent the body for postmortem.
Dr Rupesh Dhali who was on postmortem duty then refused to conduct an autopsy unless he is paid Rs 20,000, alleged deceased Ray’s family.
Unable to meet his demand, family members offered Rs 5,000 to Dr Dhali. But the doctor didn’t come to the postmortem house and said he would not take less than Rs 20,000 to conduct an autopsy. Angry at this, relatives and villagers of the deceased gathered in front of the PHC and started thrashing Dr Dhali. However, police rushed to the spot and pacified the mob.
Villagers have demanded stern action against Dr Dhali.