The wife of an undertrial prisoner who allegedly died in custody as a result of the state government's alleged failure to provide prompt medical care at the Nimapada Sub-Jail in Puri district has been ordered by the Orissa High Court to get compensation of Rs 20 lakh.
Eight years after the deceased's wife filed the case, the court issued an order mandating that the money be paid within six weeks.
Undertrial Passed Away Without Appropriate Care
According to sources, Krutibas Khatei, the deceased, was taken into custody on September 20, 2016, in connection with a complaint filed at Pipili Police Station. He was placed under arrest until trial.

On January 26, 2017, he passed away while in custody after his health allegedly declined without proper medical attention from the jail administration.
Despite the prisoner's illness, the High Court reviewed detention documents and concluded that proper steps were not taken to guarantee care. His death while awaiting trial was determined to be the result of inadequate medical care while he was in detention.
The wife filed the petition. In 2017
In 2017, Khatei's wife, Sabita Nishanka, filed a complaint with the Orissa High Court, alleging that the jail management had been negligent. She said that the authorities refused to move her husband for appropriate care despite her repeated demands.

The claim of delayed medical action is supported by the court's findings, which state that the prisoner was finally sent to a hospital on orders from the High Court.
Bhabani Shankar Das, the petitioner's attorney, stated that the administration finally took action following judicial involvement.
"No arrangements were made by the jail administration for him to receive better care. They moved him to a nearby hospital per the High Court's decision. We filed this appeal with the Hon'ble High Court because the jail authorities were negligent, and the court has now ordered the deceased's wife to get Rs 20 lakh in compensation," he said.
Authorities are held accountable by the court.
According to a division bench led by Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy, the prisoner was denied prompt medical attention due to the carelessness of jail staff.The court determined that the petitioner was lawfully entitled to compensation after considering the available records, the deceased's earnings, and the dependent's anticipated means of subsistence.
The verdict mandates that the state government release the ordered compensation of Rs 20 lakh within six weeks.