Indore: Dozens of patients fled the Pehchan de-addiction centre at Agrasen Square in Indore on Saturday after a fellow patient was found dead at the centre, sparking panic among those admitted there for treatment, the Free Press Journal reported.

Source: Free Press Journal via My Press Today

Raoji Bazaar police station in-charge Manish Mishra said the incident took place on Saturday morning at the Pehchan centre, where Sachindra Lodhi, who had been admitted about a month ago, was found dead in a washroom at the centre. Police are investigating the circumstances of the death and examining CCTV footage, according to reports.

On learning of the death, panic spread among the patients, who gathered their belongings and left. Reports said more than 70 patients came out of the two-storey centre, some climbing over the boundary wall after finding the main gate locked and breaking the wire fencing, while nearby residents alerted the police after seeing the large number of people leaving. A later count based on the centre's attendance register put the number of patients who left at around 45, according to police cited in reports.

Source: TV report quoting Raoji Bazaar police

The deceased patient's brother-in-law, Keshav Lodhi, has alleged negligence by the centre's management. He said Sachindra Lodhi was admitted a month ago, that he had transferred Rs 6,000 online to the centre on Saturday morning, and that he received a call from the centre at 11 a.m. informing him of the death. The allegation has not been independently established, and the centre's response was not reported.

Police said the investigation into the death and the circumstances at the centre is continuing. What happens next will depend on the post-mortem findings and the police inquiry into the family's allegation.