BARIPADA: A 48-year-old tribal woman’s body waited in the mortuary of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRM MCH) here for seven days after both her parental family and in-laws refused to take custody over bearing the cost of funeral rites.
The deceased, Binapani Singh, was admitted to PRM MCH on July 14 after being referred from the Betnoti community health centre. However, she died a day later. Postmortem was conducted the next day but neither her parents nor her in-laws came forward to claim the body despite repeated intimation from the police and hospital authorities.
Binapani had married Manas Singh of Chilabasa village under Betnoti police limits in Mayurbhanj district around 15 years ago. The couple had three daughters but reportedly been living separately for several years following marital discord.
Police sources said, Manas is employed outside the state and has had little contact with his wife and family for a long time. In fact, Binapani was also not on good terms with her parental family and lived separately.
Family sources said she was admitted to Betnoti CHC on July 14 and after her health deteriorated, the 48-year-old was shifted to PRM MCH where she succumbed during treatment.
Her elder brother, Barat Singh, said he was unwilling to perform her last rites. “After my sister’s marriage, she became part of her husband’s family. I am not in a position to bear the expenses of her last rites,” he said.
Her father-in-law, Madan Singh, also declined to take custody of the body. He claimed that if he performed the last rites, his son might later implicate him in a criminal case because of strained relations between them.
“Binapani and my son had a love marriage which did not have sanction of both the families. They were living separately and a divorce case was pending in court. I do not want to take any risk by claiming the body,” Madan said, adding that he was also unable to bear the funeral expenses. In tribal communities, funeral rites include elaborate customs and community feasts.
Hospital officials said they repeatedly informed both families after the postmortem but neither side came forward. As a result, the body remained in the hospital mortuary.
On the day, social activist Arun Kumar Behera with the help of police conducted the final rites in the town.
Denied final respect
Binapani died at PRM MCH on July 15
Postmortem was conducted the next day
Neither her parents nor in-laws came forward to claim the body
She was reportedly living separately for several years due to marital discord
A social activist with the help of police conducted the woman’s final rites