Mirzapur family alleges rat infestation in hospital mortuary, probe underway

The family of a 26‑year‑old man created a commotion at a divisional hospital here after noticing apparent damage to his body while it was stored in the mortuary , alleging that rats had gnawed on it. The incident has raised fresh questions about mortuary infrastructure and hygiene at the facility.

According to officials, Abhishek Mali , a resident of Tarakpur locality, allegedly hanged himself on Sunday morning. After police completed inquest proceedings, his body was taken to the hospital mortuary. The family said they requested that the body be placed in a freezer , but were told it was not functioning, and it was kept on ice instead.

Family members said that when they returned on Monday morning to collect the body for final rites, they found noticeable wounds and parts of tissue missing. Relatives alleged that rats had bitten into the body overnight, including feeding on muscle tissue in places such as the hands and waist — with some reports saying up to about half a kilogram of flesh appeared to have been eaten.

The discovery sparked anger among the grieving family, who demanded accountability from the hospital. They claimed that after being told the freezer was broken, they had even purchased ice themselves to preserve the body, but that the mortuary conditions remained inadequate.

Hospital authorities responded by constituting a committee to investigate the allegations. Chief Medical Superintendent Sachin Kishore said that a probe would be carried out and that “appropriate action” would be taken against any staff found responsible. Chief Medical Officer Sunil Singh acknowledged that while wounds were visible, it could not yet be conclusively determined that they were caused by rats.

The episode has highlighted concerns about the maintenance of mortuary facilities at the divisional hospital, particularly malfunctioning equipment and pest control, with the family urging authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur.