In a shocking incident, a 25-year-old Indian man, Rohitash Kumar, regained consciousness on a funeral pyre moments before it was set to be lit after a doctor failed to conduct a post-mortem, medical officials reported on Saturday.
Kumar, who had speaking and hearing difficulties, had fallen ill and was taken to a hospital in Jhunjhunu, located in the western state of Rajasthan, on Thursday. Indian media outlets reported that he had suffered an epileptic seizure, and doctors declared him dead upon arrival at the hospital.
However, instead of performing the required post-mortem to determine the cause of death, doctors sent the body directly to the mortuary and then for cremation as per Hindu rites. Dr. D. Singh, the chief medical officer of the hospital, confirmed to the media that a doctor had prepared a post-mortem report without actually conducting the procedure, allowing the body to be sent for cremation.
Just moments before the funeral pyre was about to be ignited, Rohitash’s body showed signs of life, with movements and breathing observed. He was immediately rushed back to the hospital, but despite efforts to treat him, he was confirmed dead on Friday.
In the aftermath, the hospital has suspended three doctors involved in the case, and police have launched an investigation into the incident.
