HYDERABAD: In a sign of apathy and stigma surrounding Covid-19 patients, authorities removed the body of a woman who had jumped to her death after finding her husband dead from
coronavirus, but left the man’s body to rot for 20 hours before help arrived.
Venkatesh, 55, who had comorbidities and suffered from epilepsy, passed away on Thursday in Ambedkar Colony in Sainikpuri after testing positive four days ago. Venkatesh was a supervisor at a construction site. But in a double tragedy, his wife Dhana Lakshmi (50), unable to cope with the loss, jumped to her death from the third floor of their apartment at around 4 pm the same day.
The couple from Nalgonda district had no children.
“Even though the cops were at the scene, an ambulance was arranged to pick her body only at 10 pm. We had to regulate traffic when people began to gather around the victim,” said Sridhar Rao M, a local.
Some residents alleged they had been asked to make arrangements to take Lakshmi’s body to mortuary.
But when it came to removing Venkatesh’s body, locals alleged they had to struggle to get help from GHMC officials.
“No one came to take the body. Everyone including the cops and GHMC officials were scared to touch the victim,” said Sridhar Babu who lives opposite the victim’s flat.
Locals said that GHMC staff came to disinfect the area, but did not shift the body.
It was only around 11.20 am the next day that the body was finally taken in a Gandhi Hospital ambulance.
Sai Teja, who is part of the Feed the Needy’s last ride services for Covid-19 victims, said he had been approached to transport the victims.
“The body of the victim was not covered and protocol not followed. Usually, only hospitals keep Covid victims overnight. That too in isolation in a body bag. There is no protocol when it comes to patients at home,” he said.
Denying any delay, Neredment SI Raghvendra Reddy said the wife’s body was removed after ascertaining she was Covid negative and waiting for her relatives. “The locals were too scared to even sign a panchanamma or provide a sheet to cover the victim,” he added.
Other police officials, on condition of anonymity, blamed the GHMC for delay in responding on what protocol to be followed which resulted in confusion.
GHMC deputy commissioner for the area did not respond to calls or messages.
“We will look into the case, but we were prompt in the case and there was no delay as claimed,” said another official.