Policeman performs last rites of victim after family disowns body

Nobody came forward to help fearing infection, says officer

After the death of a suspected COVID-19 patient, his family refused to go near the body fearing infection. At that moment, a Delhi police officer, ASI Sushil Kumar, came forward and single-handedly carried out all the procedures and last rituals — transportation of the body, getting post-mortem conducted and finally the cremation. Sonu Kumar, an electrician, was suffering from high fever and breathing problems. He was visiting a local clinic for treatment. When his condition worsened on April 19, he went to a hospital in East Delhi. However, he was turned away in the absence of bed and scarcity of oxygen supply. He went back home and died later in the day. Neighbours told his wife that they should not touch the body as he has died due to COVID-19 infection, said the police. “The deceased was survived by his mother, wife and a 12-year-old son and after his death they all have shifted themselves to ground floor of the house while the body was on first floor,” said Mr. Kumar.