UP Horror: Decomposed body found in Deoria Medical College water tank

The body was so badly decomposed that the skin began peeling off when touched. It took the fire department nearly six hours to retrieve the body from the tank, after which it was sent for post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, family members of patients admitted to the hospital accused the administration of gross negligence. Some patients alleged that they had complained about the foul smell in the water for at least three days, but their concerns were ignored.

A five-member enquiry committee has been constituted in this regard, which will be headed by the Chief Development Officer. The committee has been asked to submit a report at the earliest. 

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According to a recent media report by Dainik Bhaskar, the water from this tank was being supplied to the college’s wards, OPD, and administrative buildings for drinking and other daily uses. This means that medical students and staff had unknowingly used the contaminated water for several days.

The discovery came to light after repeated complaints from patients and their attendants about a foul smell in the water, prompting the cleaning staff to inspect the fifth-floor cemented tank. At first, the staff checked the water supply but found nothing unusual. When the tank’s lid was finally removed, they were shocked to see a bloated, decomposed body of a young man floating inside, with a needle still attached to his right hand.

Following this, the hospital administration informed the police and forensic teams, who arrived at the spot with officials from the Crime Branch. They failed to remove the body from the tank as the skin began peeling off on touch. The fire brigade took nearly six hours to retrieve the body. Due to the advanced decomposition, the police officials failed to identify the body. 

The shocking incident caused chaos in the hospital premises, with patients and their families refusing to use the water and demanding strict action against the administration for negligence. Forensic experts also collected water and environmental samples to determine how long the body had been submerged and how much the water quality had deteriorated. Police said the body remains unidentified and appears to be several days old.

A patient from Rudrapur said, “We’ve been admitted for three days and noticed the stench earlier, but no one acted. Now we know there was a dead body in the tank, it’s horrifying.”

Following the discovery, the medical college administration immediately stopped the water supply to all buildings, including the wards, OPD, and nursing hostel, and an alternative water supply has been provided via tankers. Water samples have been sent to the state laboratory in Lucknow for testing. A regular water supply will be restored only after the report comes.

To inspect the premises, District Magistrate Divya Mittal visited the college on Tuesday and discovered liquor bottles, glasses, and other objectionable items on the terrace of the medical college building. Angered by the findings, she reprimanded Principal Dr. Rajesh Baranwal and demanded a written explanation regarding the lapse in campus security.

Divya, who has been appointed as the investigation officer in the case, expressed serious concern over both the discovery of the body in the water tank and the objectionable items found on the college premises. Questioning the supervision and functioning of the institution, she remarked, “This is a medical college, not a den of anti-social activities.”

After this, the Health Department temporarily relieved the college’s principal, Dr. Rajesh Kumar Barnwal, from his duties. Dr. Rajni, Head of the Anatomy Department at Etah Medical College, has been appointed as the acting principal until further orders, reports India Today.

Meanwhile, Mittal has constituted a five-member investigation committee headed by the chief development officer. The team also includes the chief revenue officer, additional chief medical officer, and circle officer (city) as members. The committee has been directed to submit a detailed report at the earliest. 

Speaking to the TOI, Deoria SP Sanjeev Suman said, "The identity of the man was being ascertained, and CCTVs on the hospital campus were being checked. So far, we have not found anything suspicious, as it is not easy to climb the wall and reach the tank. We are checking the CCTVs installed on the campus and entries at the OPD."

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