Devotee’s Death During Ratha Jatra: CM Announces Ex-Gratia

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs for the family of a devotee who died during Rath Yatra in Puri on Sunday. He also expressed deep grief over the devotee’s death and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.

The deceased has been identified as Lalit Bagarti, a resident of Saintala locality of Balangir district. According to sources, Lalit suffocated during a stampede near Lord Balabhadra’s Taladhwaja during the chariot pulling.

Similarly, over 300 devotees fell ill and were hospitalized due to high humidity and large crowds after a stampede-like incident erupted during the pulling of Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh Rath. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and Health Secretary Shalini Pandit visited different hospitals and interacted with the victims undergoing treatment.