A viral video from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district has prompted an inquiry after the body of a woman was seen being carried home from a government hospital in a garbage-collecting tractor of the municipal body.
The incident took place on August 5 at the civil hospital in Bada Malhara town after the family members of Rukhsana Khan prepared to take her remains after a post-mortem examination.
According to officials, the woman had been missing for about a month. Her body was found on August 5 and sent to the hospital by the police.
In the three-minute video, men are seen wrapping the body in a plastic sheet and placing it on the tractor-trolley, which has “Nagar Parishad, Bada Malhara” written on it, even as a relative alleges that they had been provided with the vehicle that picks up garbage for the civic body.
Disciplinary action
Chhatarpur Collector Mrinal Meena, who took charge on August 7, told The Hindu that the district administration is recommending disciplinary action against the local Block Medical Officer (BMO) based on an inquiry by the Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) and the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
“Meanwhile, we are also carrying out a probe to ascertain other lapses in the matter such as whether they were on part of the hospital or the municipal body. We are also looking into whether a mortuary van was available or not and who arranged the tractor,” he said.
“So far, it has been established that it was the BMO’s responsibility to make necessary and dignified arrangements even if an ambulance or a mortuary van was not available,” Mr. Meena said.
In the video, the relative raises questions at the lack of basic amenities at the hospital that looks freshly painted, while accusing the local administration of ignorance towards basic needs of patients.
“A mortuary van has been sanctioned for this hospital for several months. This hospital has become clean and renovated on the outside but the body will be transported for the funeral in a garbage vehicle. Is this not an insult to a deceased person?” the relative asks in the video, alleging that several bodies are transported from the hospital in the same way.
Systemic failure
The case adds to a list of several incidents in recent months that highlight gaps in Madhya Pradesh’s health infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
Earlier on July 27, a 21-year-old man died in Mandla district allegedly after the government ambulance taking him to the district hospital for dialysis ran out of oxygen.
Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Umang Singhar the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, terming the Chhatarpur incident an “extremely shameful and insensitive reflection of the system”.
“Under the BJP government, the condition of hospitals has deteriorated to such an extent that there are no facilities for treatment while alive, and not even a dignified final arrangement after death. The BJP government and Chief Minister [Mohan Yadav], who make grand claims about the health system like air ambulances, should explain: Is this the model of health services in the State?” Mr. Singhar posted on X.
Published – August 09, 2026 09:53 pm IST