Cemetery Worker Allegedly Sold Human Skeletons for Rs 3,000 Each, Three Arrested

Three men were arrested for allegedly exhuming and stealing human skeletal remains from a cemetery in Raichur and supplying them to a private medical institution for academic purposes, police said on Monday.

The accused have been identified as Veeresh, a cemetery worker, and Raju and Afsar, employees of the medical institution in Raichur town, police said.

The incident came to light after two local residents allegedly spotted two men digging up a grave and placing skeletal remains in a plastic cover. When the residents approached them, the suspects fled, but the locals reportedly recognised the cemetery worker.

The residents confronted Veeresh the following day, during which he allegedly confessed to the crime, police said.

During the investigation, Veeresh reportedly told investigators that he had been digging up and selling skeletal remains for several months to supply them for use by medical students.

According to a senior police officer, Veeresh was allegedly paid Rs 3,000 for the skeletal remains of each body and had received an advance payment of Rs 700.

Being a cemetery worker, Veeresh knew the burial locations and allegedly targeted bodies that had been buried for at least six months, the officer said.

Police said Veeresh allegedly sold the remains to earn money for liquor and other personal expenses.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the incident. All three accused were arrested on Sunday, police said.

Investigators are now examining the extent of the alleged racket and whether other employees of the medical institution or staff members of other colleges were involved in procuring the skeletal remains.

Further investigation is underway, police added.