The family members of a person who died of COVID-19 were booked in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district after they were caught in a video dumping his body into a river in broad daylight. Additional SP Balrampur Arvind Misra said two persons had been arrested in the case on charges of violation of COVID-19 protocol.
The government action comes on the heels of the Uttar Pradesh government trying to fend off criticism over bodies of suspected COVID-19 victims found floating in the Ganga in several districts.
The video from Balrampur, shot by someone driving on the bridge from where the body was dumped, was widely shared on social media. In the clip two men, including one in a PPE kit, are seen lifting the body, which is wrapped in a bag, to be thrown over the bridge into the Rapti river.
V.B. Singh, CMO, Balrampur, said an FIR had been lodged against the family of the person whose body was thrown into the river. Dr. Singh said the body was of one Premnath Mishra of Siddharthnagar, who was admitted to hospital on May 25 and died three days later on May 28.
“The body was handed over to his family as per the COVID-19 protocol,” the CMO said.
Mr. Singh said that the prima facie it came to light that the family had thrown the body into the river and appropriate action would be taken in the matter.
Ever since bodies were seen floating in the Ganga, the police have set up pickets and patrolling by boats to prevent such disposals and even offered people a support sum of ₹5,000 for cremation if they cannot afford it.
