Decomposed body wrapped in plastic; Why this cruel disregard for Rajesh?

THRISSUR: Why such disregard for a hero who gave up his life saving others? Is this the ideal way Kerala should bid adieu to Rajesh, the Thiruvananthapuram native who died while saving the lives of others in the flash flood in Kannur? Another instance for Kerala to hang its head in shame.

The Pariyaram Medical College authorities sent the body, which had been lying in the river for four days, to Thiruvananthapuram wrapped in a plastic sheet. It was not embalmed. The Payyannur tehsildar did not arrange an ambulance with a freezer box. The drivers were also instructed not to show the body to the relatives or others when it reached Rajesh’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Since it was not embalmed, the mortal remains must have rotted and disfigured.

When the stench became unbearable, the ambulance drivers had no other way but to seek respite at the Hayath Hospital in Chavakkad, Thrissur. Then the drivers moved the body to a facility with a freezer. The issue came to the fore after the CCTV footage of this came out.

Kalliyoor panchayat member Mahesh and public activist Rane were inside the ambulance during this time. They said that when asked for an ambulance with a freezer, Tehsildar K.P. Paul waved his hand in denial. Ambulance drivers Muhammad Niyaz and Muhammad Tanveer said that if the body had not been moved to the freezer, the body parts would have been separated. They did not tell these grisly details to Rajesh's family, considering their emotional state. However, they are now ready to give their statement in front of anyone.

Rajesh met with tragedy last Saturday during a rescue operation in Cherupuzha, Kannur. Rajesh crossed the river to help a man trapped on the other side. Rajesh also gave his life jacket to the elderly man. But while swimming back, Rajesh lost his grip on the rope. He was a rappelling instructor at the Meenthully waterfall.

Kannur District Collector P. Vishnuraj has directed the Medical College Superintendent to investigate the lapses of Pariyaram Medical College in the incident and submit a report. ADM P.N. Purushothaman has been assigned to conduct a detailed investigation. The Special Branch has also started an investigation. The Payyannur Tehsildar explained that it didn’t come to his notice that the ambulance lacked a freezer. Meanwhile, the family members have not yet considered filing a complaint in the incident.