5 booked for removing safety kit from Covid victim’s body

In a breach of the Covid-19 norms in Bhilwara, family members and relatives unzipped the safety kit from the victim’s body and touched him multiple times before the final rites.

A video from the cremation ground, accessed by HT, shows the deceased was put on a funeral pyre, where his body was initially tightly wrapped in a white safety kit. A relative in the background can be heard exhorting others in Mewari to unzip the kit. “Inne khol, ee kit ne khol diyo” (Open it, open this kit), as others begin to walk near the body.

As people began to remove belts from the kit to unzip it, a person can be heard in the background saying, “Marwa bala mar gaya, rehba wal rehi, eme kai, bhai ro mundo to dehka” (Person who had to die is already dead, those who have to live will continue to live, at least let’s see the brother’s face). Two persons could also be seen removing rings from Ladu Lal’s hands.

After the video came to the fore, an FIR was registered against five persons at Mandal police station on Wednesday. They have been booked under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and other relevant sections of the Rajasthan epidemic act.

“We are presently investigating the case, if allegations are found to be true, a charge sheet will be promptly submitted before the court,” said Superintendent of Police (SP), Bhilwara, Vikas Sharma.

According to an official of Mandal police station, a local core team comprising sarpanch had first learned the matter, following which they filed a complaint. “Prima facie evidence indicates the cremation took place on Tuesday. We have the video of the cremation where people in the background can be fresh shirt on the body which is a custom performed during the final rites in Mewar areas.

Health experts said that even after the person is dead, adequate safety precautions need to be taken in cremation. According to Dr Dheeraj Verma, deputy superintendent, Kanwatia hospital, the chances of the virus spreading by touching the victim’s body is always present and hence all safety guidelines must be strictly followed.

Meanwhile, in Ajmer, a funeral procession of a 90-yearold woman, who died of natural reasons, was attended by as many as 50 people in Janta Colony in Paharganj under Ramganj police station area of Ajmer city. Flouting pandemic safety norms, people took part in the procession and walked in close proximity with one another even though such congregations are prohibited, police said.

An FIR against four family members and 50 unnamed persons has been registered, they said.

We are presently investigating the case, if allegations are found to be true, a charge sheet will be promptly submitted before the court