BJD forms fact-finding team on Ganjam custodial death of disabled man
Synopsis
A physically disabled man died after allegedly being tortured in police custody for seven days in Odisha's Ganjam district — and the Opposition BJD has now sent a 17-member team to investigate. Three police officials are already suspended, but the family and political opposition are demanding accountability that goes further.
Key Takeaways
BJD constituted a 17-member fact-finding team on 2 June to probe the alleged custodial death of Susant Sahu in Ganjam, Odisha .
Susant Sahu , a 32-year-old physically disabled man, was allegedly detained at Kabisuryanagar police station from 25 May and subjected to custodial torture over seven days , according to family allegations.
He was handed over to his family in critical condition, referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur , and declared dead on Monday .
Three police officials were suspended and an under-training IPS officer holding independent charge of the station was withdrawn following the public outcry.
The fact-finding team, approved by BJD president Naveen Patnaik , will submit a detailed report after visiting the victim's family and local stakeholders.
The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday, 2 June constituted a 17-member fact-finding team to probe the alleged custodial death of Susant Sahu, a 32-year-old physically disabled resident of Subalaya village in Ganjam district, Odisha, following his detention at the Kabisuryanagar police station. The move comes after the incident triggered widespread outrage and the suspension of three police officials.
What the Fact-Finding Team Will Do
The team, constituted with the approval of BJD president Naveen Patnaik, will visit the victim's family, interact with local residents and other stakeholders, and submit a detailed report to Patnaik. According to the party's press statement, the team will 'ascertain the facts surrounding the incident' and document accounts from those close to the case.
Senior party leaders on the team include Ramesh Chyau Patnaik, Bhrugu Baxipatra, Pramila Bisoi, Ranjita Sahu, Latika Pradhan, and Purna Chandra Swain, among others. The BJD stated it 'stands in solidarity with the bereaved family' and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding human rights and upholding the rule of law.
What Allegedly Happened to Susant Sahu
According to allegations by family members, Susant Sahu was picked up from his village during a raid on 25 May and detained at Kabisuryanagar police station for questioning in connection with a case involving illegal stone blasting. Two others had reportedly been arrested in the same case, but Sahu's involvement was allegedly not established.
Family members allege he was subjected to custodial torture during his seven-day detention. He was reportedly handed over to his family on Sunday in a critical condition. After preliminary treatment at Aska hospital, he was referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where doctors declared him dead on Monday.
Police Action and Official Response
The incident prompted significant administrative fallout. Three police officials were suspended, and an under-training IPS officer who had been holding independent charge of the Kabisuryanagar police station was withdrawn. The swiftness of the action suggests authorities were responding to mounting public pressure rather than a routine inquiry.
Notably, this is not an isolated incident in the broader national conversation around custodial deaths. Rights groups have long flagged the vulnerability of marginalised individuals — particularly those with disabilities — during police detention, where access to legal aid is often delayed or denied.
What Comes Next
The BJD fact-finding team's report to Naveen Patnaik is expected to inform the party's next political and legal steps. Civil society organisations in Odisha are also reportedly monitoring the case. With police suspensions already in place, pressure is likely to mount for a judicial or independent probe into the precise circumstances of Sahu's detention and death.
Point of View
Not judicial, and do not substitute for a transparent independent inquiry. The victim was physically disabled, detained in connection with a case where his involvement was allegedly unestablished, and handed back to his family in critical condition after seven days: each of those facts, if verified, represents a serious due-process failure. The BJD's fact-finding exercise is politically useful but structurally limited; the more consequential question is whether the state orders a magisterial or judicial probe. Custodial deaths involving marginalised individuals rarely sustain media attention beyond the first news cycle — which is precisely when accountability mechanisms need to be locked in.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Susant Sahu and how did he die?
Susant Sahu was a 32-year-old physically disabled man from Subalaya village in Ganjam district, Odisha. According to his family's allegations, he was detained at Kabisuryanagar police station on 25 May in connection with an illegal stone blasting case, subjected to custodial torture over seven days, and handed back to his family in critical condition; he was declared dead at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur on Monday.
Why has the BJD formed a fact-finding team?
The Opposition Biju Janata Dal constituted the 17-member team on 2 June to independently ascertain the facts of Susant Sahu's alleged custodial death. The team, approved by BJD president Naveen Patnaik, will visit the victim's family, speak to local residents, and submit a detailed report to Patnaik.
What action has been taken against the police so far?
Three police officials have been suspended following the incident, and an under-training IPS officer who held independent charge of the Kabisuryanagar police station has been withdrawn. These are administrative measures; no judicial probe has been announced as of the latest reports.
Why was Susant Sahu detained in the first place?
According to family allegations, Sahu was picked up during a police raid and questioned in connection with a case involving illegal stone blasting in Ganjam district. Two others had reportedly already been arrested in the same case, and family members allege that Sahu's own involvement in the offence was never established.
What happens next in the case?
The BJD fact-finding team's report is expected to shape the party's next legal and political steps. Civil society groups are reportedly monitoring the case, and pressure is building for an independent or judicial inquiry beyond the administrative suspensions already carried out.
