Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21 -- A deceased youth's family called a witch doctor to perform rituals over his body at Anandapur Sub-Divisional Headquarters Hospital in Keonjhar after a doctor declared him dead following a snakebite on Monday.

The incident brought renewed attention to the persistence of superstition surrounding snakebite treatment.

The deceased has been identified as Sushil Kumar Bhitiria of Bhandaridihi village under Ghasipura police station. Sushil was bitten by a venomous snake on the leg on Sunday.

His family members and neighbours immediately rushed him to Anandapur Medical. However, Sushil died while undergoing treatment. The doctor subsequently declared him dead, but his family and relatives continued to hope that he coul...