World · India Bureau
Mumbai family keeps deceased relative's body for four years, police say
Police in Maharashtra have ruled out foul play after discovering that family members preserved the body of a man who died of natural causes in 2022. Investigators attributed the unusual practice to the relatives' emotional attachment to the deceased.
LSN India ·
Authorities in Mumbai have concluded their investigation into the case of a man whose body was kept by family members for approximately four years following his death in 2022, determining that no criminal activity was involved.
Police said the deceased had been suffering from cancer, kidney failure, and various age-related ailments at the time of his death. The family's decision to preserve the body rather than perform last rites was driven by emotional attachment, according to investigators who examined the circumstances.
The discovery came to light when police became aware of the situation and conducted a thorough investigation. Forensic and medical examinations confirmed that the man had died from natural causes related to his pre-existing health conditions.
While such cases remain uncommon in urban India, authorities have occasionally encountered similar situations where family members struggle to part with deceased relatives, particularly in cases where acceptance of death is difficult. Police said the matter has been resolved and that no further action would be taken against the family.