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Autopsy reports on sale @ Rs 500
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL post-mortem reports are being sold at Rs 500 per copy here in the city. Racketeers involved in this despicable act have high-level connections. Two such autopsy reports reached HT in which causes of death are mentioned as hanging and throttling. Autopsy reports are highly confidential in nature and one each is sent to the SSP, the Chief Medical Officer and to the police station concerned, under which jurisdiction the deceased was living or killed.
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL post-mortem reports are being sold at Rs 500 per copy here in the city. Racketeers involved in this despicable act have high-level connections.
Two such autopsy reports reached Hindustan Times in which causes of death are mentioned as hanging and throttling. Autopsy reports are highly confidential in nature and one each is sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police, the Chief Medical Officer and to the police station concerned, under which jurisdiction the deceased was living or killed.
In the two autopsy reports, procured by HT one is of Virendra Awasthi (34) of Barra 3 and the reason of his death has been cited by the post-mortem doctor as ‘Asphaxid asacesat of antemortem hanging’ (legation mark) and the carbon copy of the report has the stamp of Dr Arun Kumar Agarwal, physician, PHC Bidhnoo, Kanpur. Though the doctors, who performed the post-mortem examination may not be responsible for leaking the confidential documents, but after procuring the reports, the illegal nexus that existed among police, doctors and other staff came to light.
Similarly, other report with HT is that of Renu Srivastava (31) of Kalyanpur and the reason behind her death is stated as ‘Asphyxia due to throttling’. The dates on which these post-mortems were conducted were stated as April 18 and 24, 2006.
Sources said the most gullible target could be the one who was taking the report to the CMO office, as the reports to the SSP and police stations concerned were sent through police personnel. It was also stated that the report to the CMO office was sent after a period of 12-15 days.
In this long period, both sides, if the cause of death may pertain to murder or any other crimes, try to procure the report by paying Rs 500 and it helps them in handling the case better.
According to sources, the post-mortem reports have always been in great demand as both sides after buying them can get enough time to prepare for their case in the court of law.
However, when the matter was brought to the notice of the Health Department officials and senior police officials, they tossed the coin on the other side.
Though a senior cop on condition of anonymity said that besides manipulating the post-mortem report, police officials too in a bid to hide the cases registered under Section 302, often manipulate the post-mortem report, whatever be the actual reason behind selling the post-mortem report for Rs 500 but one thing is certain how highly confidential and sealed reports are being stolen from the mortuary.
When asked about the selling of post-mortem report, CMO Dr Vijay Shankar Singh said, “Normally I receive post mortem report in a sealed packet if there is any discrepancies then the accused will be dealt with firmly.”
On the other side, SP west Awdhesh Yadav reacting over the sale of post mortem report said, “If such things are happenning in the city then it is a serious crime and a matter of concern as well.”
