Family Unwilling, Delhi Cop Takes Covid Victim's Body To Crematorium

Stories of people helping others against all odds continue to come from the national capital and elsewhere across the country amid the deadly second wave of COVID-19.

An assistant sub-inspector of the Delhi Police received praise on social media for stepping up to help the family of a man who died of the disease.

Sonu, 35, a resident of north-east Delhi's Gokulpuri, died due to complications from coronavirus infection. However, the family couldn't take the body to the crematorium fearing infection, the Delhi Police tweeted.

The assistant sub-inspector, Sushil, then agreed to take the body for the last rites. Before that, the policeman hired a private ambulance to transport it for autopsy.

"ASI Sushil of PS Gokulpuri NE Dist  #DelhiPolice took body of 35yr-old Sonu suffering for 3-4 days to hospital for post mortem in pvt Amb & later to Ashok Nagar crematorium for last rites when his family members didn't come forward fearing #covid. One of your #DilKiPolice #Heros," the Delhi Police tweeted, along with a photo of the policeman.

ASI Sushil of PS Gokulpuri NE Dist #DelhiPolice took body of 35yr-old Sonu suffering for 3-4 days to hospital for post mortem in pvt Amb & later to Ashok Nagar crematorium for last rites when his family members didn't come forward fearing #covid.
One of your #DilKiPolice #Heros pic.twitter.com/3TSBlWK0lC

— #DilKiPolice Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) April 22, 2021

Hospitals in Delhi have been sending out SOS for oxygen refills, with many claiming their supplies may last only a few hours. The healthcare infrastructure in the national capital and other towns and cities across the nation is severely strained due to a big rush of Covid patients.

The surge in cases in recent weeks is part of what is now being called a deadlier second wave of the pandemic.

Social media is full of stories of desperate people trying to find oxygen or hospital beds for friends and family.