3 arrested for selling bones, bodies to Raichur medical college

Raichur: The alleged illegal trade in bodies buried in a graveyard in Raichur has taken a new turn with the police arresting three people and searching for a fourth accused. Investigators have registered an FIR against four persons and are examining the possible role of a private medical college in the suspected racket.

The arrested persons are Eeresh, a graveyard assistant, Raju, an employee of a private medical college, and Afsar. Huligeppe, who also works as a graveyard assistant and is reportedly a friend of Eeresh, remains absconding. The Netaji Nagar police are conducting a search to locate him.

Police have stepped up the investigation by carrying out inspections at both the graveyard and the private medical college. During the inspection of the college, investigators reportedly recovered bones and skeletal remains. These materials have been seized and are expected to form part of the evidence being examined in the case.

The police have also seized the mobile phones of the accused and forwarded them to a forensic science laboratory. Investigators are examining the devices for call records, messages and other information that could shed light on the alleged transactions, the movement of bodies and possible links between the accused.

The role of the private medical college has come under scrutiny following the alleged statement of an employee that bodies had been purchased. Police are preparing to issue a notice to the institution, seeking clarification on how the bodies were obtained and whether the management or other staff members had any knowledge of the alleged racket.

The college is likely to be asked to explain who authorised the procurement of bodies, whether the institution followed the prescribed procedures and whether the arrested employee acted on the instructions of anyone else. The police are also seeking to establish whether the alleged activity was limited to the arrested individuals or involved a wider network.

The discovery has triggered concerns about the security of graveyards and the procedures followed when human remains are obtained for medical education or research. Investigators are expected to establish how the bodies were allegedly removed from burial sites and transported to the college.

BJP leader Ravi Jaladar has urged the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation. He questioned how bodies buried in the graveyard reached the medical college and sought action against all those found responsible.

Jaladar also called for a detailed examination of the identity cards reportedly carried by the accused and other evidence collected during the investigation. He said the police should establish the complete chain of events and determine whether additional persons were involved.

With one accused still absconding, the forensic analysis of the seized phones and the proposed notice to the college are expected to be important steps in the probe. Police have not yet established the full extent of the alleged racket, and the institution’s role remains subject to investigation.

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