CHHATARPUR, Madhya Pradesh — A woman’s body was allegedly transported from a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district in a municipal garbage-collection tractor-trolley after her family was unable to arrange a hearse. The incident at Bada Malhera Civil Hospital has raised questions over the lack of dedicated facilities for transporting deceased persons, with the district administration ordering an inquiry into the matter.
- Incident: The woman’s body was allegedly taken home in a municipal vehicle used for garbage collection after post-mortem.
- Deceased: Rukhsana Khan had been missing since July 4 and her body was recovered on August 5.
- Hospital facility: Bada Malhera Civil Hospital does not have a dedicated hearse vehicle, according to its Block Medical Officer.
- Administrative action: The Chhatarpur administration has ordered a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Family waited for a vehicle after post-mortem
Rukhsana Khan had been missing since July 4. Her body was recovered on August 5 from an area near a garbage dumping site along Surajpur Road in Chhatarpur.
Police suspected a criminal incident and the body was subsequently sent to Bada Malhera Civil Hospital for a mandatory post-mortem examination. After the procedure, the family needed to transport the body home but reportedly struggled to arrange a suitable vehicle.
Rukhsana’s husband, Babalesh Ahirwar, said the family waited for several hours for a hearse. According to him, they were eventually offered a municipal tractor-trolley used for garbage collection.
Husband describes the experience as painful
Ahirwar expressed anguish over the manner in which his wife’s body had to be transported. He said that every person deserves dignity after death and described seeing his wife’s body being taken in a garbage vehicle as deeply painful.
“Every person wants dignity, if not in life then at least after death. It was very painful to see my wife’s body being taken in a garbage vehicle,” he said.
The family’s account has brought attention to the absence of a dedicated hearse facility at the hospital and the difficulties families can face when they cannot arrange private transportation after a post-mortem.
Hospital admits it does not have a hearse
The hospital administration has not disputed that it does not have a dedicated vehicle for transporting bodies. Bada Malhera Block Medical Officer Dr Hemant Maraiya said the requirement for a hearse had been raised several times at district-level meetings.
According to Maraiya, the hospital has not received the vehicle because the required budget allocation or approval under the relevant head has not been sanctioned. As a result, the hospital currently depends on the Nagar Parishad when such transportation is required.
“We don’t have a hearse van so we depend on the Nagar Parishad. During a recent District Health Society (DHS) meeting, we asked for a hearse van.”
Maraiya said he hoped the hospital would receive a hearse in the future, adding that such a facility would benefit the public.
District administration orders inquiry
The Chhatarpur district administration has ordered a formal inquiry into the incident. Officials said the circumstances and facts surrounding the transportation of the body would be examined before deciding on further action.
The inquiry comes against the backdrop of the hospital administration’s repeated requests for a dedicated hearse vehicle. The incident has consequently highlighted a basic infrastructure gap at the government facility and the need for appropriate arrangements for transporting deceased persons.
What happens next?
The inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances in which the municipal tractor-trolley was used, what transportation options were available at the time and whether the existing arrangements at the hospital were followed.
The administration’s findings will determine whether further action is required. Separately, the hospital’s request for a dedicated hearse remains pending, according to the Block Medical Officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Rukhsana Khan’s body recovered?
Rukhsana Khan’s body was recovered on August 5 from an area near a garbage dumping site along Surajpur Road in Chhatarpur.
Why was her body taken to Bada Malhera Civil Hospital?
Police suspected a criminal incident after the body was recovered. It was therefore sent to Bada Malhera Civil Hospital for a mandatory post-mortem examination.
Does Bada Malhera Civil Hospital have a hearse vehicle?
According to the hospital’s Block Medical Officer, the facility does not currently have a dedicated hearse vehicle and depends on the Nagar Parishad when transportation is required.
Has the administration ordered an investigation?
Yes. The Chhatarpur district administration has ordered a formal inquiry into the incident. Officials said appropriate action would be taken after the facts are established.
Why has the hospital not received a hearse vehicle?
The Block Medical Officer said the requirement had been raised in district-level meetings, but the necessary budget allocation or approval under the relevant head had not yet been sanctioned.
