Maid falls to death

BHUBANESWAR: Mysterious death of a woman domestic help under Nayapalli police limits led to blockade of Mayfair-Biju Patnaik College Road for nearly five hours on Tuesday. The deceased, Janani Pradhan (35), of Kundasahi village under Tikalbali block of Kandhamal district was residing in a slum near the College along with her husband Debananda Pradhan.Nayapalli Police were informed about the unnatural death by Prakash Mohapatra, a retired bank officer, residing on the college road. Janani was a domestic help in his house for more than three years. Police said, Mohapatra claimed that Janani fell down from the first floor of his house and died on the spot. However, local suspecting foul play, have demanded arrest of Mohapatra and a compensation of ` 5 lakh for the bereaved family. City DCP Nitinjeet Singh tried to persuade the irate mob to allow the body to be taken for post-mortem. As the situation was out of control, police resorted to lathicharge. The mob relented after Mohapatra paid a compensation of ` 2.5 lakh to the bereaved family.