“UP mortuaries rat infestation” : Rats and Mongooses Feast on Dead Bodies in Uttar Pradesh Mortuaries, Compromising Integrity of Post-Mortem Examinations and Court Trials

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Mortuaries in Uttar Pradesh are facing a disturbing issue as they have become breeding grounds for rats and mongoose. These rodents have been found to nibble on the eyes, ears, nose, and lips of the dead bodies, causing immense distress to the families of the deceased and compromising the integrity of post-mortem examinations. This situation may also have adverse effects on the fairness of court trials.

Over the past month, there have been more than a dozen reported instances of soft tissue being consumed by rodents in two mortuaries in the state. The most recent case occurred in Jhansi district, where rats and mongooses fed on the eyes and other tissues of a 40-year-old man named Sanjay Jain. His body was kept in the Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College’s mortuary for an autopsy. Sanjay Jain’s son, Virendra Jain, expressed his shock and devastation at the sight of his father’s mutilated body.

This is not an isolated incident, as similar cases have been reported in the same mortuary in the past. Another victim, Raunak Rayakvar, a 16-year-old girl who died by suicide, had her ears and parts of her hand bitten by rodents while her body was in the mortuary. The family of Satyaprakash Bharti, a 28-year-old man found dead in the Yashwantpur Express, also discovered that rodents had chewed on his legs. These incidents have sparked protests by grieving families, demanding action against the negligent staff.

The blame for these horrifying incidents lies with the health department, which has neglected the upkeep of the mortuary facilities. The mortuary at Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College lacks basic amenities such as deep freezers to preserve the bodies. The bodies are instead kept in old, rusted iron boxes that have developed holes over the years. Complaints have been made multiple times, but higher officials have shown little concern for the mortuary’s maintenance.

Mortuary staff members have revealed that such cases are not uncommon, with several instances occurring in the past year alone. The situation is especially dire for unclaimed bodies that must be kept in the mortuary for a minimum of 72 hours. During this time, rodents and mongooses have ample opportunity to feed on the bodies, making identification difficult.

In response to the outcry, officials from the medical college have promised to improve the condition of the mortuary. They are looking to collaborate with agencies to acquire deep freezers and proper iron boxes to ensure the safety of the bodies. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Medical Education, Brajesh Pathak, has also assured that mishandling of dead bodies at mortuaries will not be tolerated. He has ordered an inquiry into the mishandling of bodies at Maharani Lakshmi Bai Medical College.

Similar cases have been reported in Lalitpur district, where rats have nibbled on the bodies of the deceased. The district administration has formed a committee to investigate these incidents and the findings will be made public soon.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the appalling conditions at these mortuaries, as they not only pose a public health risk but also jeopardize the integrity of post-mortem examinations. Inaccurate post-mortem reports can have a significant impact on legal proceedings and criminal trials, leading to unjust outcomes. The lack of proper maintenance and hygiene in mortuaries also raises ethical concerns and undermines public trust in the judicial system.

Advocate S Mohammed Haider from the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has urged the state and the Department of Health to initiate a thorough investigation into the state of mortuaries and post-mortem houses across Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized the need for prompt action to improve sanitation, pest control, and overall maintenance. By addressing this issue swiftly, the integrity of the deceased, the authenticity of post-mortem examinations, and the principles of justice can be upheld..