Chennai health inspector booked for collecting Rs 11,000 to hand over body of Covid victim

The health inspector, who is facing a DVAC probe over an illegal collection of money from the family of a Covid victim, was identified as R Dhasarathan, Moovarasanpettai PHC, Medavakkam. He collected money from the family of victim Inbasekharan of Nanmagalam.

DVAC team, that verified the complaint, found that lnbasekaran was admitted to the Covid-19 ward, Rajeev Gandhi General Hospital, Chennai on March 8 this year and died on March 13.  The hospital authority had given intimation to Dhasarathan for disposal of the body as per Covid guidelines.

The accused officer had contacted, Balasubramani, the son of the victim,  over the phone and informed that he has to pay Rs 11,000 towards the handing over of the body. He further had asked to pay the said amount via G Pay. Believing that it is mandatory to remit the amount to the government, Balasubramani had agreed to pay the amount.

As he did not have the app, Balasubramani had asked his cousin Santhosh of Perungudi to pay from his account.

Later, when Balasubramani came to know it was a bribe amount, he lodged a complaint with DVAC. The agency after verifying the complainant's claim registered a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Dhanasekharan.