Police refuse to let go of body

As the cremation could not take place, the family members of Chukkan have refused to perform the ‘shraddha’ (a Hindu ritual performed 12 days after the cremation) for the salvation of the ‘soul’.

Numerous attempts by the family members to take possession of the body have proved futile. The reason cited by the police is that there were certain legal hiccups in giving up the body. Chukkan was killed allegedly by his neighbour in July 2007 at Paschim Patti village. His body had been recovered from the nearby fields four days after the murder. Although he was identified by the family members and some others the police went for a DNA test the report of which was received after five months. Four people were arrested after the DNA test confirmed that the body was that of Chukkan. The accused were later enlarged on bail but the police did not release the body saying that if the accused challenged the DNA report wherefrom would they bring the body. “If we give the body of Chukkan for cremation and the accused persons challenge the DNA test we shall not be able to prove our case,” said the SHO Ram Saran Bind.

Incidentally the ‘remains’ of Chukkan’s body had been wrapped in a white sheet and dumped in a corner in the police station as if it were some item. DIG, Azamgarh range K K Tripathi expressed shock and dismay over the matter and assured family members the release of Chukkan’s body at the earliest.