Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, June 7: A 29-year-old trainee constable died here on Wednesday. While his family members alleged it to be a case of heat stroke, authorities at the centre where he was undergoing training refuted the allegations.

Biswanath Behera was undergoing training at the Urban Police and Traffic Training Institute (UPTTI) in Laxmisagar area last afternoon when he complained of dizziness. Sources said that officials present at the spot rushed him to the Capital Hospital after preliminary treatment at the centre.

Around 8pm he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Doctors at the SCB Medical College and Hospital said the patient, who was admitted in a critical condition last night, was kept at the central intensive care unit. He died around 11.30pm. Biswanath is survived by his wife and a one-year-old daughter.

While authorities at the SCB Medical College and Hospital refused to comment on the exact reason behind his death, Biswanath’s family members suspect it to be a case of heat stroke and excess physical stress. They said that he was sick for the last two days.

“My son had called me on Tuesday and said he was running high fever. He had even applied for leave but it was not granted,” said his father Gopal Behera, a resident of Ghaduala in Nayagarh.

He said Biswanath had completed his graduation from Nayagarh in 2003. He was earlier working as a home guard. He was appointed as a constable about seven months ago.

As part of his job, he was asked to join a training programme at UPTTI from May 5.

“It is completely the fault of his seniors, who denied him leave and forced him to undergo training in the intense heat,” said Biswanath’s brother, Kanhu Charan Behera.

However, Sarat Chandra Bisoyi, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) in charge of UPTTI, said they suspected that the trainee constable might have died because of some stomach-related infection, which subsequently affected his heart.

“Last afternoon around 4pm before the regular drill started, Biswanath was sitting under a tree and said he was feeling dizzy. Our officers attended to him and he was rushed to Capital Hospital where doctors referred him to SCB citing his condition to be serious. We got the news of his death at night,” said Bisoyi, adding that the post-mortem report will confirm the cause of his death.

Bisoyi said trainees normally undergo physical training between 5.30am and 7.45am and 3.30pm and 5.45pm. In the afternoon, the authorities first conduct some theory classes under the trees before starting physical training. At present 305 cadets are undergoing training at UPTTI.

Senior officials of commissionerate police, including police commissioner Sunil Roy, visited Biswanath’s family members at the S.C.B Medical College and Hospital today.

“The constable was immediately provided medical treatment and rushed to the hospital, before he died. We are taking all possible follow-up action. The post-mortem report will provide some clarity on his death,” said police commissioner, Sunil Roy.

Police officials said Biswanath’s family members would be given due compensation and his wife, a job.