Tribal Man Carries Daughter’s Body on Trolley in Odisha, Sparks Outrage

Balasore: In a deeply distressing incident that has triggered widespread outrage, a tribal man from Bindhani Sahi village under Baliapal police limits in Odisha’s Balasore district was forced to transport his daughter’s body on a trolley rickshaw for nearly 6 km, due to his inability to afford an ambulance.

The victim, 19-year-old Nandini Bindhani, reportedly died by suicide following a domestic dispute. She had left home in distress and was later found hanging in a nearby village on Thursday evening. Upon receiving information, police seized the body but allegedly did not provide any transportation for post-mortem, instead leaving the responsibility to the grieving family.

Nandini’s father, Madhu Bindhani, a daily-wage labourer, said he could not afford the ₹1,200 needed to hire a private ambulance. Left with no other option, he borrowed a trolley from a villager and carried his daughter’s body to the Baliapal Community Health Centre, located 6 km away.

Photos and videos of the body being carried on the trolley quickly went viral on social media, sparking sharp criticism of the local administration and police for their alleged insensitivity and negligence.

In response, Panimani Soren, the investigating officer, claimed that Madhu Bindhani himself had agreed to use the trolley as no ambulance was available at the time.

Reacting to the controversy, Balasore Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas stated that upon receiving the report, local officials including the tehsildar and BDO coordinated with the sarpanch and PEO of Deula panchayat to arrange a vehicle for the cremation.

The incident has reignited debate over access to emergency services, especially for the poor and marginalized, and the responsibility of the state to uphold human dignity, even in death.