Bhubaneswar, 1 August (H.S.): A peon working at the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) office in Gajapati district has been arrested for allegedly serving urine, to a junior engineer.
The accused, identified as Siba Narayan Nayak, was taken into custody by R. Udayagiri police on Friday, following a formal complaint lodged by Sachin Gouda, a Junior Engineer who had recently joined the RWSS office on July 22. According to the FIR, the alleged incident occurred on July 23, when Gouda requested drinking water after dinner.
Gouda claimed he was handed a steel bottle containing a suspicious liquid, which caused him to feel uneasy after consumption. Two other staff members, identified as Ghana and Surya, also tasted the liquid and raised concerns about possible contamination.
Preliminary lab tests on the liquid revealed the presence of 2.0 parts per million (PPM) of ammonia, indicating possible urine contamination. A second sample has been sent to a laboratory in Paralakhemundi for further analysis. Gouda, who reportedly fell ill after the incident, is currently receiving treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
In his statement, Gouda said, “When I asked for water, Siba brought a bottle from the Aqua Guard and gave it to me. After drinking, I felt uneasy. Two other staff members also tasted it and suspected foul play.”
Siba has denied any deliberate wrongdoing. Speaking to reporters, he said, “I brought the water along with his food. I don’t know what happened in between. I have done nothing wrong. I’ve left everything to God.”
The Odisha Water Resources Directorate has been notified, and the case has reportedly been brought to the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which may initiate an independent inquiry.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
