The death of a man, who allegedly committed suicide after escaping from a police station in Odisha's Kendrapara district, has led to road blockade by irate villagers and suspension of a police officer. The deceased, identified as Abinash Paitala (25), had been arrested yesterday night in a mobile theft case.

After interrogation, he was kept in a lock-up of Mahakalapada Police Station, the police officer said. He allegedly escaped from the police station at around 10 pm, when he was taken out of the lock-up to attend natures call. The police launched a search to trace the man but could not find him. Paitala's body was found hanging from the staircase railing of a house in the village today morning, the officer said. Director General of Police R P Sharma placed Inspector-in-Charge of Mahakalapada Police Station, Shyamaghana Behera, under suspension with immediate effect for gross negligence and dereliction of duty, the police officer said.