The Patna High Court has lashed out at the official agencies concerning glaring discrepancies in the number of Covid deaths. Slamming the highly unreliable and incomplete affidavits, the High court has ordered the Municipal Health Secretary to submit a fresh report within two days after verifying all the details.
The country is suffering through a deadly second wave of coronavirus pandemic. India is witnessing an unexpected number of deaths. Covid has taken the lives of millions, leaving families broken and helpless. In Bihar, the number of new coronavirus cases is spiraling up. The number of deaths in the state has been uncountable.
A few days earlier, Bihar witnessed several floating bodies of suspected covid 19 victims in Ganga.
Meanwhile, the official agencies in Bihar have submitted contradictory reports of Covid19 deaths, especially in Buxar, where over 70 bodies were washed up on the river banks. According to the affidavit filed by the state Chief Secretary, Buxar has witnessed just eight deaths since March 1. But, according to the Divisional Commissioner's official statement, 789 cremations took place at Chardham Ghat at Buxar between May 5 and May 14.
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Further, the court said that the documents did not clarify the actual number of Covid related deaths. No data regarding the age group of the deceased, their religion, or any other information is present in the submitted reports. The court also said that the total population of Buxar is 17 lakh and if in 10 days 789 were cremated in one crematorium, then what are the figures of the entire district.
“The chief secretary does not say six deaths are only due to Covid. The commissioner also does not say that 789 are non-covid ones. The total population of Buxar is 17 lakh, but the figures are only for Nagar Parishad. There is no mention of the religion or age group of the dead. Last rites may have been performed at burial grounds,” the bench of chief justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sanjay Kumar said.