Kalahandi teen's snakebite death leads to 36‑hour postmortem delay
Madhuri Majhi, 16, died after a snakebite in Thuamul Rampur, and her family endured a 36‑hour wait and trips to three hospitals for a postmortem.
Madhuri Majhi, a 16‑year‑old from Barsikana village in Thuamul Rampur, Kalahandi, died after a suspected snakebite on Thursday night. Her family admitted her to the Kalampur Community Health Centre on Friday, where she died during treatment. Because the Kalampur CHC lacks postmortem facilities, police transferred the body to the Thuamul Rampur CHC, but a doctor there refused to conduct the examination, citing that the death occurred elsewhere. The family then travelled about 40 km to the Jayapatna CHC, where the postmortem was finally carried out after a 36‑hour delay.
Why was the body moved between three hospitals?
According to reports, Madhuri Majhi was bitten by a venomous snake Thursday night and taken to the Kalampur Community Health Centre, where she died during treatment. As the Kalampur CHC does not have postmortem facilities, police shifted the body to the Thuamul Rampur Community Health Centre. Police said doctors there initially indicated that the postmortem would be conducted after consulting other medical officers, prompting the family to keep the body at the CHC overnight. However, Saturday morning, a doctor at the Thuamul Rampur CHC allegedly declined to perform the postmortem, saying the death had occurred at Kalampur. Left with no alternative, the family transported the body about 40 km to the Jayapatna Community Health Centre, where the postmortem was eventually conducted, sources said. The grieving family thus endured a wait of roughly 36 hours and visited three government hospitals before the examination could be completed.
What did officials say about the postmortem delay?
Jayapatna Community Health Officer Dr Subrajit Biswal said Thuamul Rampur CHC had all the required facilities for conducting postmortems and that he could not explain why the body was referred to Jayapatna. He said the hospital completed the postmortem and handed over the body to the family. Officials at the Thuamul Rampur Community Health Centre, including the concerned doctor, could not be reached for comment.
What action are residents demanding?
The incident has sparked resentment among local residents, who alleged negligence by the health department and demanded strict action against those responsible. The grieving family’s ordeal has led to calls from the community for accountability and for measures to prevent similar delays in the future.
Source: PNN, updated August 2nd, 2026, 14:03 IST, in State, Top Stories. Tags: KalahandiOdishaPostmortemSnakebite.
Who was the teenager who died after the snakebite in Kalahandi?
Madhuri Majhi, 16, daughter of Kalua Majhi of Barsikana village under Sindhipadar panchayat in Thuamul Rampur police limits.
Where did the family first take the girl after the snakebite?
The family admitted her to the Kalampur Community Health Centre (CHC) in Thuamul Rampur.
Why was the body moved from Kalampur CHC to another hospital?
Kalampur CHC does not have postmortem facilities, so police shifted the body to Thuamul Rampur CHC.
What reason did a doctor at Thuamul Rampur CHC give for refusing to conduct the postmortem?
The doctor allegedly declined, saying the death had occurred at Kalampur.
Where was the postmortem finally conducted?
The postmortem was conducted at the Jayapatna Community Health Centre after the family transported the body about 40 km there.
How long did the family wait before the postmortem was completed?
The family endured a 36‑hour wait before the postmortem was carried out at Jayapatna CHC.
What did the Jayapatna CHO say about the facilities at Thuamul Rampur CHC?
Dr Subrajit Biswal said Thuamul Rampur CHC had all the required facilities for conducting postmortems and could not explain why the body was referred to Jayapatna.
What have local residents alleged in response to the incident?
Local residents have alleged negligence by the health department and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Jyotirmayee Majhi
District Correspondent, Kalahandi
Jyotirmayee Majhi covers Kalahandi district, with a focus on tribal rights, agriculture distress reporting, and district-level policy.
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