In a disturbing incident that has shocked officials and citizens alike, a peon working at the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) office in R Udayagiri, Gajapati district, was arrested for allegedly handing over a bottle of urine instead of drinking water to a senior officer.

The incident took place on the night of July 23, when Sachin Gouda, an Assistant Executive Engineer who had just joined the department on July 22, asked for drinking water while working late at the office. According to his complaint, peon Siba Narayan Nayak provided him with a stainless steel bottle containing a suspicious liquid.

Officer and Colleagues Report Illness After Drinking from Bottle

Gouda, unaware of the contents due to poor lighting and work fatigue, took a few sips. Shortly after, he began feeling unwell. Two other employees, Ghana and Surya, who also tasted the water, raised similar concerns about its taste and odor.

Realising something was wrong, Gouda sent a sample for laboratory analysis. The initial report showed 2.0 parts per million (PPM) of ammonia, which is significantly higher than normal levels in potable water suggesting urine contamination. A second sample has been sent to a laboratory in Paralakhemundi, the district headquarters, for confirmation.

Peon Denies Allegations, Claims Innocence

Nayak, who has since been taken into custody by the R Udayagiri police, denied the allegations in front of the media. “I had brought the water from an aqua guard machine and placed it in the junior engineer’s room along with his food. I don’t know what happened after that. I am innocent and have left everything to God,” he told the media

Describing the ordeal, Gouda told reporters, “After drinking from the bottle, I felt uneasy. Two colleagues also tried it and confirmed something was wrong.”

Despite his denial, Gouda’s condition worsened and he had to be admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for treatment.

FIR Filed, NHRC and Water Resources Directorate Informed

A formal First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the R Udayagiri police station after Gouda recovered. The incident has been reported to the Odisha Water Resources Directorate and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), with demands for a thorough investigation and appropriate action against the accused.

Authorities have registered a case under relevant sections of the law and are currently probing the motive behind the act. Meanwhile, the incident has triggered public outrage, with many calling for stringent measures to ensure such misconduct does not recur in government offices.

This case has now become a focal point of discussion about workplace safety, dignity, and accountability within public service departments. Investigations are ongoing.