Dogs scavenge unclaimed bodies in Gwalior:Corpses dragged from graves with bones and skulls left scattered openly

A case of inhumane treatment of unclaimed bodies has come to light in Gwalior. Behind Needam Muktidham, in an area of approximately 100 x 100 feet, unidentified bodies have been buried for the past three decades. Recently, when a grave was dug to identify a body from the Maharajpura area, the scene was extremely horrifying. Bones of hands and feet were scattered in some places, while skulls lay strewn in the open elsewhere. Evidence was found at the site of stray dogs pulling out bodies from graves and mauling them. Due to burial in shallow graves, bodies often come to the surface, causing unhygienic conditions and foul smell in the area. According to nearby residents, this situation has persisted for a long time. Bones found scattered every ten steps When the Dainik Bhaskar team opened the gate and went inside, a leg bone was seen protruding from the soil. At some distance, a piece of cloth was visible peeking out from the soil. Upon closer inspection, a body was found buried in it. The body had been buried recently, but rain that occurred a day earlier had washed away the top soil. After this, stray dogs had torn and dragged the body out. In an area of about 10 thousand square feet, human bones were scattered every few steps. Behind Needam Muktidham, bones of hands and feet and skulls were found scattered in the open. Bodies are buried in shallow graves In Gwalior, unclaimed bodies are buried in the designated area behind Needam Muktidham. Due to the possibility of identification, bodies are buried in shallow pits so that they can be easily removed if needed. However, these shallow graves become a problem over time, as stray animals easily dig them up and expose them. Dogs digging up graves, foul smell spreading Needam Muktidham was earlier located far from the city, in a deserted area, but now it has come to be situated in the middle of an urban area. Unclaimed bodies are buried in the space built behind it. According to people living around Muktidham, stray dogs often dig up the soil here and pull out the bodies and tear at them. When the gate remains open, animals easily enter inside and damage the graves. Due to this, bodies often appear shallow and foul smell persists in the area. Due to burial in shallow graves, bodies often come out, causing uncleanliness and foul smell to spread in the area. Watchman’s claim – Bodies being buried in haste Naresh Valmiki, who looks after the unclaimed bodies’ cemetery, said that no authorized employee is deployed for the management of the site. After bringing the bodies, employees often drink alcohol and hastily bury them in shallow graves. According to Naresh, he has been witnessing these conditions for the past 20 years. He does not receive any payment for this work. 10-12 bodies buried every month at just 2 feet depth Online Service Association President Ramesh Babu Kushwaha said that his team only assists the police in transporting bodies. The burial process is conducted under police supervision. We have no control over this. I don’t have any permanent employees. He said that about 10 to 12 unclaimed bodies are buried here every month. Due to the possibility of identification, these are buried at a depth of about two feet or less, so that they can be easily exhumed if needed. However, for this very reason, stray dogs sometimes dig up the graves and pull out the bodies.