Bolangir: Punjilal Meher, the prime accused in the Patnagarh parcel bomb case, was Saturday admitted to the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital here after he complained of illness.
Sources said Punjilal was shifted to the Bolangir district jail from the Patnagarh sub-jail eight days ago after he allegedly attempted an escape. But rejecting the claim he said he had been only on a hunger strike. The doctors treating Punjilal said that the prolonged starvation had created health problems for him.
“I had never tried to escape from jail. All the inmates had written to the SDPO and other authorities to ascertain the truth. I launched a hunger strike as no step was taken in this regard,” said Punjilal.
Dr Mitali Mishra of Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital said the condition of Punjilal is stable while necessary treatment is being provided to him.
Meanwhile, the jail authorities could not be contacted over Punjilal’s allegations.
Punjilal gained notoriety when he sent a parcel bomb to Sanjukta Sahu’s son who got married in February 2018. The bomb had gone off when the newlyweds had opened the parcel killing the groom and his grandmother, while the bride was critically injured. The police had worked meticulously on the case before arresting Punjilal in April.
PNN