CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has suspended sanitation secretary Hitesh Kumar with immediate effect after an unclaimed body was transported from a hospital to a crematorium in a garbage van in Phagwara, Kapurthala district two days back.
Officials said the body, found by the Government Railway Police near Chaheru railway station three to four days ago, was kept in the civil hospital mortuary for 72 hours for identification. As no one came forward, the hospital informed the corporation to take the body for cremation.
However, instead of following proper protocol and treating the deceased with dignity, the body was placed in a municipal garbage vehicle for transportation. Images of the incident went viral and triggered widespread public anger.
The state government said strict action has been initiated over the inhuman handling of the body. Further proceedings against the suspended official will be based on an inquiry report, officials added.
