Mortuaries in Uttar Pradesh have become breeding grounds for rats and mongoose, leading to the mutilation of dead bodies and compromising the integrity of post-mortem examinations. Over the past month, more than a dozen incidents have been reported in two mortuaries in the state, where rodents have nibbled on the eyes, ears, nose, and lips of the deceased. This has not only caused distress to the families of the deceased but also raises concerns about the fairness of court trials.
The most recent incident occurred at the Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi district, where rats and mongooses fed on the eyes and other tissues of a 40-year-old man who had died by suicide. The family was devastated to find their loved one in such a state, with missing eyes. This was not an isolated case, as similar incidents were reported previously at the same mortuary.
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The state of the mortuary has been blamed for these incidents, as there is a lack of proper facilities and maintenance. The bodies are stored in old, rusted iron boxes that have holes, allowing rodents to enter. The mortuary does not have any deep freezers to preserve the bodies. Although complaints have been made, higher officials have shown little concern about the upkeep of the mortuary.
The situation is even worse for unclaimed bodies, which have to be kept in the mortuary for at least 72 hours. This gives rodents and mongooses ample time to feed on the bodies, making identification difficult.
Officials from the health department acknowledge the sorry state of the mortuary and promise to improve the facilities. The medical college has also assured that measures will be taken to prevent further incidents.
The mishandling of dead bodies at mortuaries is now under scrutiny, with an inquiry ordered against the Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College. The Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Medical Education, Brajesh Pathak, has promised that mortuaries will be maintained well and bodies will be handled in a decent manner.
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Similar incidents have been reported in Lalitpur district, where rats have nibbled on the body of a woman who died by suicide. The district administration has formed a committee to investigate the issue.
Legal experts warn that the conditions in the mortuaries not only pose a public health risk but also jeopardize post-mortem examinations and fair trial procedures. Inaccurate post-mortem reports can lead to unjust outcomes in criminal trials and undermine public trust in the judicial system. They urge the state government to take immediate action to improve the sanitation and maintenance of mortuaries.
