
In a tragic incident in Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Nagar, Kushinagar, the body of a bank cashier was discovered in his rented room on Wednesday. The deceased, identified as Ujjwal (30), was found unresponsive with the room’s blower running at full speed, raising suspicions of suffocation.
Incident Details
The discovery was made when the cleaning staff attempted to open the room but received no response despite repeated knocks and phone calls. The landlord was alerted and also tried to open the door but failed. Eventually, the police were called to the scene. Upon arrival, they broke the door and found Ujjwal’s body lying beside the bed. The room was extremely warm, and blood was visible near his nose.
Ujjwal was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The police have sent his body for a postmortem to determine the exact cause of death.
About the Deceased
Ujjwal, a resident of Alinagar, Gorakhpur, had recently joined Baroda UP Gramin Bank in Turkpatti as a cashier. This was his first posting, and he had moved to Kushinagar two months ago with the help of his sister, Neeti, who arranged a rented room for him.
Ujjwal was unmarried and had no family except his elder sister, Neeti, a chartered accountant living with her in-laws in Darbhanga, Bihar. Neeti revealed that Ujjwal had a history of heart problems and was often advised against strenuous activities, including driving.
Landlord and Eyewitness Accounts
The landlord disclosed that Ujjwal initially appeared sick when he came to rent the room, and he was reluctant to rent it out. However, he eventually agreed after persistent requests from Neeti. Eyewitnesses reported that the room was sealed from all sides, and the blower had been running on full power, suggesting that suffocation might have been the cause of death.
Preliminary Investigations
Kushinagar’s CO Kasya Kundan Singh stated that while the blower appears to be a contributing factor, the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report.
Health Advisory
Dr. RK Shahi, Principal of Kushinagar Medical College, issued a warning about the dangers of using heaters or blowers in enclosed spaces. Prolonged use of such devices reduces oxygen and moisture levels in the room, leading to breathing difficulties. He recommended hanging a wet cloth in rooms with artificial heating to maintain humidity and never using enclosed spaces with burning borsis or agithis overnight.
Safety Concerns
Experts have highlighted that heaters and blowers absorb room moisture, causing dryness, skin irritation, and reduced oxygen levels, which can sometimes prove fatal. Individuals are advised to ensure proper ventilation and take necessary precautions during winter months.
The case is under investigation, and further details are awaited pending the postmortem report.