Forensic corpse carrier not being used by cops
The Forensic Corpse Carrier (FCC) launched by the Hyderabad city police seven months ago to carry bodies from the scene of crime to the morgue seems to have fallen into a state of disuse already. Although the vehicle was available for round the clock service cops have been using other means to transport bodies.
Even after the vehicle was launched, the bodies of accident, suicide and murder victims are being shifted in private vehicles. The main aim of the vehicle was to shift the body to the morgue without disturbing appearance and to avoid abrasions which may lead to wrong conclusions by forensic experts.
An officer from Hyderabad police said that sometimes the vehicle cannot reach on time due to which they opt for private vehicles. In a recent accident at Trimulgherry, in which four persons including three kids were killed, a private vehicle was used to shift the bodies. One of the injured was taken to hospital in IT minister K.T. Ramarao’s convoy.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad CCS officials who monitor the functioning of the vehicle said that many inspectors and even ACPs were not aware of how to use the vehicle properly.
“They were under the impression that the vehicle can be used only for shifting unrecognised bodies. But the police commissioner instructed all officers stating that any body can be shifted in this vehicle. After this demand has increased,” Dr Venkanna, scientific officer, Hyderabad Clues team said.
Although vehicle maintenance expenses are low, the cost of consumables is high.
“Each body cover costs around `600. If some NGOs or companies come forward to bear the expenses we can shift the bodies with dignity,” he added. After more than a decade, 29-year-old Rinku Ray will join her family when she reaches her home in the Hajipur district of Bihar.
Rinku went missing from home, moved to different places and reached Hyderabad mentally ill around three years ago. She was admitted at the Aaram Ghar Rehabilitation Centre. After a communication was sent to the Bihar Legal Services Authority to find Rinku’s family, her family was traced to Tejpurwa village under Patepur police station limits.
Rinku’s younger brother Subhoda Ray identified her from a photo and confirmed that it was his sister who went missing 11 years ago. He travelled all the way from Bihar to meet his sister who was being sheltered at the Kasturba Gandhi Home in Hydershakote. As soon as he reached the home and saw his sister he broke down but it took around three hours for Rinku to recognise him.
He said that after she went missing their father Bindeshwar Ray fell ill and died, but their mother Chameliya Devi had hopes of her coming back. As days passed hopes faded and they stopped searching for her. The family became worried about Rinku’s daughter Anjali, who is now 11 years old and is staying with her father Harinder
Meanwhile, police found that Rinku had run away from home unable to bear the harassment of her husband. She had two children, but the second child died of ill health. She reached Hyderabad in December 2014. In May 2017, she was found naked and confined to a dark room, following which the police registered a case. The RR District Legal Services Authority ordered her to be shifted to the Kasturba home. Rinku was handed over to her brother. On Sunday, Rinku and her brother accompanied by panel advocate G. Subhashini and women cops from Mailardevpally police station left for Bihar.