The cremation of the body of a Mumbai-settled autorickshaw driver at B. Kodagahalli, near Melkote, on April 24 has led to some anxiety in parts of Mandya district. Deputy Commissioner M.V. Venkatesh, however, said that no protocols were violated and there was no need to be alarmed.
The 53-year-old Padavapura native, who had been residing in Mumbai for 15 years, died at the V.N. Desai Government Hospital at Santacruz on April 23. His embalmed body was brought to the district on April 24. The cremation was held under the supervision of personnel deputed on COVID-19 duty.
The daughter, 24, son-in-law, 25, and grandson, 2, of the deceased who accompanied the body from Mumbai (P-566, P-567, and P-568, respectively), and his second daughter staying in K.R. Pet (P-569) have tested positive for COVID-19. Villagers are now anxious, despite assurances from the Deputy Commissioner.
Political leaders, including former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, have criticised the authorities for allowing the cremation at B. Kodagahalli.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner clarified that the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines permit movement of ambulances and the body was embalmed. Hence, it could reach the district by passing several check-posts en route to Pandavapura taluk, he said.
A total of seven persons, including the wife of the deceased, attended the cremation. All seven have been placed under quarantine at the Morarji Desai Residential School.
The documents given by the medical officer of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and by V.N. Desai Hospital state that the man died of cardiac arrest. Furthermore, he had been suffering from anaemia and blood pressure. His son-in-law works with the loan department of ICICI Bank and he often visited Wardha, Santacruz and other places, Mr. Venkatesh said.
The health officer concerned decided to allow the cremation as the body was embalmed and the people who accompanied it had documents with them. “If the man had died of COVID-19, the authorities concerned [in Maharashtra] would not have allowed the relatives to take the body to Pandavapura,” the officer said.