EMBRACING THE DEAD FOR MONEY
Unwanted in life, in demand after death
Many Takers For Beggars Bodies For Share Of Relief Pie ….Akhilesh Sourav Jha | TNN
Jaipur: Beggars are usually not factored even in during the census, but the mortuary at SMS hospital is witnessing a new phenomenon following the May 13 serial blasts. After the Rajasthan government announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of every dead person, people are making a beeline for the mortuary to stake claim on bodies, including that of beggars. Of the 16 unidentified bodies, about a dozen are those of beggars who died in the blast at Sanganeri Gates Hanuman temple. In most cases, the administration has to establish the identity of a beggar or an ex-communicated person when a body is being claimed, but it is different this time.
Even today (Thursday) some people came to claim five bodies. But when they were asked to produce the proof of their relation, they failed to meet formalities. There is simple arithmetic involved5×5=25 lakh rupees. This is what has prompted many people to make a quick buck out of the tragedy, said an employee at the morgue on condition of anonymity.
A police officer posted near the hospital agreed cynically: This time we wont face much problem getting people to identify victims as the money involved is big. Caution is needed before handing over bodies to greedy and wrong people. In case a person claims 7-8 bodies, it means Rs 40 lakh of government money (public) may get squandered. It is ironic that these bodies are in great demand today as they subsisted on the fringes while they lived. Today, they have new relatives ready to claim a legacy with fake photographs and other vague physical details to offer as proof for officials. One such case is that of Banno, a banjaran, who has been camping at the mortuary since Wednesday. She says she is waiting for the body of her husband, who allegedly died in Tuesdays blast.
Banno said: We had a spat a few weeks ago after which my husband came to Jaipur leaving me at my village in Jhalawar. Couple of days ago, he called to collect some money. Next day, I came to Jaipur only to find the city in the flames. Since then he is missing. I am sure that the body lying in there is that of my husband. But officials are sceptical about her claims as she has given contradictory evidence.