A disturbing incident has emerged on Saturday from Karnataka’s Bidar, where a mortuary attendant attached to a government-run teaching hospital was arrested for allegedly capturing photographs of dead females inside the facility, the police reported. According to police, the accused, identified as Munir Ahmed, was employed at the morgue of BRIMS Teaching Hospital in Bidar. The police resorted to the action after receiving a complaint from the hospital authorities. 

Complaint alleges misuse of position

Dr Mosinul Haq, Professor and Head of Department at the hospital, lodged a complaint on May 25, detailing the incident. He said Ahmed had been working at the mortuary for several years and was entrusted with duties pertaining to post-mortem procedures.

He alleged that during the autopsy, Ahmed removed the clothes from the bodies of dead females and captured their nude photographs without any official authorisation, legal sanction or medical requirement. 

Furthermore, the hospital authorities claimed Ahmed stored the images on his cell phone and that the alleged acts had been carried out with malafide intentions. 

Hospital authorities condemn incident

Officials at the BRIMS Teaching Hospital termed the allegations a ‘grave violation of professional ethics, institutional protocols and the dignity owed to dead people.’ They said the alleged actions not only breached medical confidentiality but also deeply hurt the sentiments of the families of the dead women. 

Hospital administrators emphasised that mortuary personnel are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and respect while handling a person’s dead remains, making the allegations particularly disturbing. 

Accused held, cell phone seized

Upon receipt of the information, the Bidar Town Police booked Ahmed under Sections 301 and 62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and arrested him. The cops have seized his cell phone and are examining its contents at present. Police officials said the probe is focused on establishing the full extent of the alleged misconduct and determining whether any additional offences had been committed by the accused.

They added that Ahmed is being interrogated at present and that further legal action shall depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.