THODUPUZHA: The body of another Covid patient was given to relatives of a patient who died while undergoing Covid treatment in a private hospital. In a mix-up, instead of body of Soman (51) of Madathuparambil in Kumily who died at a private hospital in Thodupuzha, the body of Pachayappan (56), hailing from New Division in Munnar was handed over.

The body was taken to an ambulance by mortuary officials and an ambulance driver as Soman was earlier infected with Covid. When they reached Kumily and got out of the ambulance, a sticker with Pachayappan's address came to notice. The hospital authorities were then informed by the panchayat member. Soman's body was immediately sent to Kumily in another ambulance. Soman's body was brought to Kumily around 4 pm and buried at Murukkadi SNDP crematorium. Pachayappan's body was taken to the hospital in Thodupuzha from Kumily and handed over to his relatives.

Soman is a member of the SNDP Yogam Kumily branch managing committee. SNDP Peermede union president Chembankulam Gopi Vaidyar demanded that the incident be investigated and action be taken against the culprits.