Sambalpur, May 22: Tension prevailed in Dhanupali area of Odisha's Sambalpur district after locals foiled a theft bid and allegedly thrashed the accused to death on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
The identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained.
According to sources, the incident has been reported from Sunapali area under Dhanupali police limits in the district when the locals caught the accused during an alleged loot bid. Later, they thrashed him brutally and then handed him over to the police around 4 am. Thereafter, they filed an FIR against him.
Following a medical check-up, the police took the man to his house for a search. They recovered some items and brought him back into custody for further questioning.
However, his health suddenly worsened at the police station. He was rushed to Sadar Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.
The police have seized the deceased’s body and sent it for post-mortem. A preliminary investigation showed that he had been involved in several thefts in the area recently.
The exact cause of death will be determined after the postmortem is conducted, said the police.
