BHUBANESWAR: An alleged drug addict, languishing in Jharpada Special jail in Bhubaneswar, died on Tuesday after he fell sick due to restriction in consumption of opium inside the prison.

The deceased was identified as Laxmidhar Nanda (52), a resident of Chandanpur in Puri district. Nanda was arrested on September 14 on charges of smuggling marijuana in Puri. Excise officials had then seized huge quantities of the contraband substance from him.

“Nanda was an opium addict. Since he was not getting the intoxicant in jail, he became sick,” Jharpada jail superintendent Birabar Nayak told TOI. “His condition worsened this morning and he was rushed to Capital Hospital where he died during treatment in evening,” Nayak said.

Earlier, Nanda’s death triggered rumour of custody torture. But the jail authorities scotched the allegation. “He was not at all tortured inside the jail,” Nayak said.