Bodies of two COVID patients swapped at AIIMS, Muslim woman cremated by another family

A Muslim family waiting to bury their loved one was in for a shock when they found out that the body they were in the possession of was not of their family member. The dead body had instead gone to a Hindu family which had already cremated it without having a look. 

The shocking incident of negligence came to light on Tuesday as the bodies of two COVID-19 victims belonging to two different communities were swapped at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. 

The body of a coronavirus positive Muslim woman was swapped with that of a Hindu woman and was cremated by the Hindu woman's family. However, when the Mulsim tried to take one last look at their family member, they found out that it was not her.  

When they tried to locate the right dead body, they were informed that she had already been cremated by another family. 

On receiving the information about the change of body, a commotion broke out at the gate of the hospital.

One of the families had already performed the last rites of the body while the other family was asked to wait and see if they got the right body, police said.

The incident took place on Tuesday. Later, the Hindu family cremated the dead body of their family member. 

AIIMS has reportedly ordered an inquiry into the matter. 

"Unfortunately, it has happened at the trauma centre. Action has been taken against two staffers of the mortuary. An inquiry has been initiated," a senior official at the AIIMS trauma centre told ANI, requesting anonymity.

Once a patient dies from COVID-19, the body is then sanitised, wrapped up and given to the family, but they are not allowed to see the deceased. However, the family is asked to list the identification details, according to the norms. 

(With ANI inputs)