Bhubaneswar: A senior scientist at the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) in Bhubaneswar, Sandip Kumar Mishra, died on Saturday night. While family members claimed he died of heart attack, police registered an unnatural death case and have launched an investigation.
The 57-year-old was conducting research on a drug to cure breast cancer. He lived with his wife and son at Satyanagar area in the city.
According to his sister-in-law Rajalaxmi Ray, Sandip was taken to Capital Hospital on Saturday afternoon after he complained of uneasiness, indigestion and vomiting. He had eaten fried chicken from outside on Friday and was not feeling well. She said doctors carried out checks and gave him medicines. When he felt okay, he asked his wife to take him home. “They returned home late in the afternoon,” Rajalaxmi said.
Around 11 pm, Sandip again complained of uneasiness and breathlessness.
“They went to Capital Hospital again. There, the doctor declared him dead. I was told he died of a heart attack,” she added.
Kharvelnagar police station inspector in-charge Rajanikanta Mishra said Sandip’s body has been kept in the morgue at Capital Hospital. “Post-mortem examination will be conducted after the deceased’s sister reaches here,” Rajanikanta said. Asked about the reason for filing an unnatural death case, he said it was done as the scientist was received dead at Capital Hospital.
Rajalaxmi said they are proud of Sandip’s achievements as a scientist. “He was a cheerful and sociable person,” she said.
Sandip was an instructor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, before joining ILS Bhubaneswar. He had also received an award in basic science research during his stint at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
On July 19, 2022, ILS Bhubaneswar’s ex-director Ajay Parida had died of a heart attack while he was in Guwahati to attend a conference.

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