Hyd cops book Shamashana Vatika,-Amberpet workers for charging Rs 35,000 for COVID cremation

Hyderabad: City police have booked a criminal case against two persons belonging to shamashana Vatika, Amberpet a crematorium for demanding Rs 35,000 for the cremation. Cops were acting based on a complaint filed by Dr. Hema Latha, Assistant Medical Officer of Health, GHMC. According to the officer, on May 22, the two accused fleeced the family of covid victim Bhagyavathi

"Her relatives Srinivas and Amar approached the Smashana Vatika for cremation. During this, they contacted Naresh, and Karthik who in turn demanded Rs.35,000 to conduct cremation," said Dr Hema Latha.

She added that on several requests and pleas, they accepted to cremate the body after receiving Rs.30,000. "This is only one case brought to my notice and several such cases might have also occurred. I request the authority to kindly investigate the matter and take stringent action against the culprit, so as to safeguard the interest of the society and human values," said Dr Hema Latha.

Following the complaint, police booked a case against Naresh and Karthik under section 420(Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of IPC.

The AMOH also said that during this COVID-19 pandemic several death cases were registered. Taking advantage of the same, some third persons are taking advantage of the situation and making money illegally. "The said matter was also published in a newspaper which has become viral News, which directly blames the competent government officials and Public Representatives without their role in the above issue," she added.