Varanasi flyover accident: Hospital staff demands Rs 300 bribe to get post-mortem conducted

A compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced for the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh for critically injured.

A hospital staffer accepting money from a relative of a deceased person.

Varanasi (UP): In a shocking incident, a grieving family that had lost five of its members  in the flyover collapse yesterday were asked to pay Rs 300 per body as bribe to get post-mortem conducted. The family members were told that the bodies would be returned if they failed to pay the desired amount. The video exposing hospital authorities at the Banaras Hindu University campus was shot by one Jitendra Yadav from Jaunpur who had lost his dear ones in the unfortunate accident last evening. In the visuals, a man is seen accepting cash from an individual showing the inhuman treatment meted out to those who are already under distress. The bribe was sought from other familes as well who had come to get the post-mortem conducted. (WATCH BELOW) When ABP News spoke to Yadav, he said "a staff member told me to pay money since the body is kept in the private ward." The malpractice was reported to the local district magistrate who assured of strict action against the accused. Latest reports say the death toll in the accident could go beyond 18. Over two dozen were injured in the tragedy. The flyover was being constructed between Chauka Ghat bus stand and Lahartara in the parliamentary constituency of PM Narendra Modi. Condoling the losses, he tweeted, "Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. I pray that the injured recover soon. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected." Meanwhile, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced for the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh for critically injured.