MP hospital sends woman’s corpse home in garbage-collection vehicle: ‘No budget for hearse’

A woman's corpse was reportedly placed in a municipal garbage vehicle and sent back to her home in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, after her family was unable to arrange a hearse, according to an incident that shook the civil hospital authorities. The tragic event occurred when the body of Rukhsana Khan, who had gone missing since July 4, was discovered on August 5 in a garbage dump near Surajpur Road. Police suspect the woman was murdered and her body taken to Bada Malhera Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Upon the completion of the autopsy, her husband, Babalesh Ahirwar, waited for hours for a proper hearse to take her body home but was frustrated to be given a municipal tractor-trolley instead. Ahirwar expressed deep distress over the matter, stating, "Every person deserves 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."

The hospital's lack of a dedicated hearse van has been a recurring issue, as acknowledged by Bada Malhera Block Medical Officer Dr. Hemant Maraiya. He revealed that the demand for such a vehicle has been raised multiple times in district-level meetings, but the necessary budget or approval has not been granted. During a recent District Health Society meeting, Dr. Maraiya requested the provision of a hearse van, emphasizing that it would greatly benefit the public.

The administration of Chhatarpur has ordered an inquiry into the incident, promising action once the facts are established.