An unclaimed body discovered at a railway station in Punjab’s Phagwara was transported in a deeply improper and disturbing manner, using a municipal garbage collection vehicle instead of an authorised medical or emergency transport facility. The incident has sparked public outrage after a video surfaced showing hospital staff placing the body into the garbage trolley of the municipal vehicle at the Phagwara Civil Hospital. A photograph of the scene also circulated widely on social media, drawing further criticism.
According to reports, the body was first found at the railway station and was then taken to the hospital using the same garbage vehicle. When no family member or acquaintance came forward to claim the deceased, the hospital staff continued the practice and sent the body to the cremation ground using the garbage trolley.
The driver of the municipal vehicle defended the act by describing it as a long-standing “routine practice,” explaining that they had no proper facilities or support from municipal authorities. He stated that they were left with no alternative method to transport unclaimed bodies.
Hospital staff confirmed the sequence of events and acknowledged that the body had been moved first to the hospital and then to the cremation ground using the garbage collection vehicle, simply because no claimant had appeared.
Phagwara Sub-Divisional Magistrate Jashanjit Singh expressed concern after learning of the incident. He said he had written to the civil surgeon of the hospital seeking a detailed report. He also pointed out that the hospital does have access to a government ambulance and questioned why it was not used, demanding an explanation for its non-utilisation. Singh emphasised that transporting any body in a garbage vehicle is unacceptable and violates basic dignity.
Phagwara Municipal Corporation Mayor Rampal Uppal said he was unaware that such a practice existed but promised strict action once the facts were verified. He added that an inquiry would be initiated to identify those responsible and to ensure accountability.
The incident has highlighted serious lapses in both municipal management and hospital administration, raising wider concerns about dignity in death and the treatment of unclaimed bodies in public institutions.
