On Wednesday, 13 February, Madhya Pradesh’s additional director general of police Rajendra Kumar Mishra claimed that his 84-year-old father, declared dead on 14 January by a private hospital, was alive and responding to Ayurvedic treatment.
The Hindustan Times reported that the senior citizen had died of lung complications in Bansal hospital, Bhopal almost one month ago, with the hospital issuing a death certificate as well.
“I have inspected the body. According to medical science, he was not alive. It is a matter of faith for Mishra family members who believe that senior Mishra was in samadhi. When I inspected the body, it had not decomposed, and I can’t comment on the state of the body at present.”Dr DK Satpathy, former head of the state forensic department.
When Mishra’s staff members reportedly got sick from the stench after claiming the body was highly decomposed, the matter was brought to the open. The police, however, were unsure of how to respond as no official complaint had been filed.
Mishra, who is currently on leave, responded saying, “This is a private matter. I don’t know what the people at Bansal said, but when they gave up, we brought him home and he is being treated by an ayurvedic doctor.”
He also refused to let anyone see his father although Dr Satpathy had gone to his residence after the cop called him, reported the Hindustan Times. However, Satpathy cannot recall the date.
‘We Issued a Death Certificate’
Bansal Hospital spokesperson Lokesh Jha told the Hindustan Times, “KM Mishra was admitted to the hospital on 13 January and he died at 4 pm on 14 January died during treatment. He was being treated by Dr Ashwini. We have issued a death certificate, and given one copy to the family and one copy to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation. If police come into the picture we will also show to the cops the death certificate.”
Mishra’s staff reportedly claimed that the family was hoping for a miracle of resurrection and called tantriks for the same, but Mishra has denied the involvement of any such person. The staff also claimed there was a lot of family pressure to keep the body, according to Hindustan Times.
Soon after Mishra’s father’s death, a message was sent in a WhatsApp group of senior officials informing them of the death and saying the cremation would occur soon, the daily reported quoting sources in the police. However, the message was later deleted.
“I am aware of the situation and has taken cognisance of it. This is a situation without precedent. I have not personally spoken to ADG Mishra about it but some senior officer will talk to him.”VK Singh, state director general of police (DGP), to the Hindustan Times.
(With inputs from The Hindustan Times)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)