The video from Balrampur, shot by someone driving on the bridge from where the body was dumped, was widely shared on social media. In the clip two men, including one in a PPE kit, are seen lifting the body, which is wrapped in a bag, to be thrown over the bridge into the Rapti river.
Balrampur Chief Medical Officer V.B Singh said an FIR had been lodged against the family of the person whose body was thrown into the river. Dr. Singh said the body was of one Premnath Mishra of Siddharthnagar, who was admitted to hospital on May 25 and died three days later on May 28.
Mr. Singh said that the prima facie it came to light that the family had thrown the body into the river and appropriate action would be taken in the matter.
Ever since bodies were seen floating in the Ganga, the police have set up pickets and patrolling by boats to prevent such disposals and even offered people a support sum of ₹5,000 for cremation if they cannot afford it.
Additional SP Balrampur Arvind Misra said two persons had been arrested in the case on charges of violation of COVID-19 protocol.
