Bhubaneswar: In a bid to authenticate the identity of dead bodies and keep away bogus claimants, the Odisha government on Monday started taking DNA samples before handing over mortal remains to genuine relatives in some suspected cases.
The decision was taken after two different families in Bihar’s Bhagalpur claimed a dead body as that of their relative. The body was beyond recognition, severely mutilated and the face disfigured. Unable to decide to whom to hand over the body, the state government decided to take DNA samples of the claimants and make it a normal procedure in such suspected cases.
An official said, “We will hand over the bodies only when there is a DNA match. We suspect that due to heavy compensation from the Railways and the respective state governments, some people may make false claims on the bodies.”
Another official at Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) helpline said, “Family members, relatives or friends who are not able to identify the dead body in Balasore train accident case can contact +918280346629 for DNA sample test.” Are.”
Stating that a DNA testing center is now functional at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the official said that family members can give samples for DNA testing. “If the DNA samples match, then only the certified person will be handed over the body,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar came to know of a similar incident where a woman from Badamba area of Cuttack district had claimed a dead body. She was found crying non-stop, but when officials contacted the police in Badamba, they learned that no one from the area was traveling on any train.
“By the time we decided to call the police, the woman had left, confirming our suspicions,” said an official of the medical establishment. Photographs and videos were also taken of relatives receiving the bodies of their relatives as a precaution to avoid disputes later.
Besides this, Chief Secretary PK Jena said that the government would also conduct DNA sampling of unclaimed bodies before performing the last rites 72 hours after the accident. “As per the law, the government can cremate unclaimed bodies after 48 hours. But we are keeping them for longer so that their families in different states can come. In cases where relatives do not turn up to claim the bodies , we will do.” Cremate them after keeping the DNA samples for future use, if any,” Jena said.