Overview
- The 57-year-old devotee, identified as Abhiram Das of Cuttack, collapsed while pulling Goddess Subhadra’s chariot and was declared dead after first aid and transfer to Puri District Headquarters Hospital on Friday.
- More than 100 people reported health issues during the Bahuda Yatra, with most discharged after preliminary treatment and a small number hospitalised for further care.
- Odisha’s chief minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and authorities ordered a post-mortem as preliminary findings cited suffocation and a history of high blood pressure.
- The opposition Biju Janata Dal has demanded a judicial inquiry and released video it says shows a stampede-like rush, while the Puri district administration and police deny a stampede and attribute the collapse to medical causes and dense conditions.
- Officials say crowd management will be a major challenge for the upcoming Suna Besha when roughly one million devotees are expected, and the episode raises fresh political pressure for clearer plans, more medical posts and tighter controls on Grand Road.