Kandhamal: A couple died after allegedly consuming herbal medicine obtained from a traditional healer following years of unsuccessful attempts to have a child, in a tragic incident reported from Nedipanga village under Gochhapada police limits in Kandhamal district.

The deceased have been identified as Kahnu Ishwar Kanhar and his wife Lalita Kanhar, residents of Nedipanga under Katringia panchayat.

According to reports, the couple had been married for several years but had no children. They had reportedly consulted doctors in the hope of starting a family. However, they later allegedly turned to a traditional healer and obtained herbal medicine.

The couple reportedly consumed the medicine at around 11 pm on Saturday. Soon afterwards, both fell seriously ill and remained unwell throughout the night.

After neighbours came to know about their condition the following morning, they were rushed to the Phulbani District Headquarters Hospital. Following initial treatment, their condition reportedly deteriorated, and they were shifted to the MKCG Hospital, Brahmapur, for advanced treatment.

However, Lalita Kanhar died on the way. Her body was subsequently sent for post-mortem examination and handed over to her family, who performed her last rites in the village.

Meanwhile, her husband Kahnu Ishwar Kanhar also died while undergoing treatment at the MKCG Hospital, reportedly a day after his wife's death.

Following the deaths, the family members have demanded the arrest of the traditional healer, alleging that the couple had been given herbal medicine by the person. The family has also alleged that the healer took 20 gram of gold and more than Rs 1 lakh from the couple in connection with the treatment.

The exact cause of death is yet to be established. The allegations regarding the herbal medicine and the circumstances surrounding the deaths are expected to be investigated by police.