Post-mortem on women performed on roadside

The staff at a government health center carried out autopsies on the roadside on two women, an act caught on video that has led the local administration to order a probe.

The post-mortem on the women, who were electrocuted, was performed outside the Gadara Road community health center Wednesday as there are no mortuaries nearby, the staff has claimed.

A video on social media shows a man sitting outside a building, apparently performing the procedure on two bodies. There is a green screen, but the bodies can still be seen.

"There is no mortuary on the 100-km stretch between Barmer and Gadara Road. Following a request by the police and the family members, the autopsies were performed on humanitarian grounds," Barmer Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Kamlesh Choudhary said.

He said the post-mortem protocol was followed.

Raja Devi (55) and her daughter-in-law Maya Kanwar (30) were electrocuted when they came in contact with a live wire while drying clothes.

Their bodies were brought to the health center on Tuesday.

Raja Devi's husband Padam Singh was injured and referred to Jodhpur for treatment.