DM orders probe into videos showing removal of shrouds from graves

A TWO-MEMBER INQUIRY PANEL COMPRISING ADM (ADMN) AND SP (TRANS-GANGA) WAS SET UP FOR THE PURPOSE.

District magistrate Bhanu Chandra Goswami ordered an inquiry into viral videos purportedly showing shrouds being removed from shallow graves on the riverbank at Shringverpur and other ghats in the name of cleanliness drive.

A two-member inquiry committee comprising ADM (administration) and SP (transGanga) was set up for the purpose. The order was issued by the DM late on Tuesday evening.

On Monday, some videos and photographs had gone viral in which some people were seen removing shrouds from shallow graves in the sand at Shringverpur

ghat. Locals alleged that the removal of shrouds was an attempt to contain bad press. But this was strongly refuted by officials.

Officials had launched a cleanliness drive along the ghats shortly after photographs and videos of dogs digging out bodies from shallow graves and feeding on them went viral. Most of these bodies may have been of Covid victims, claimed residents.

Municipal commissioner Ravi Ranjan has said there was no direction from the municipal corporation to subordinates to remove shrouds. “The corporation is only maintaining general cleanliness, arranging lights and drinking water facilities at all cremation sites and graveyards in city area,” he said.

On Wednesday, IG (range) KP Singh said a probe had been initiated by the district administration after videos and photographs of shrouds being removed from graves at Shringverpur went viral. The inquiry will be conducted by SP (transGanga) and ADM (administration), he added.