We will hand over the body only after the DNA match: Odisha Govt

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has started taking DNA samples before handing over the bodies to the families in some doubtful cases to verify the identity of the bodies and avoid fake claimants.

The decision was taken after two different families of Bhagalpur in Bihar claimed a dead body as their relative's. It was difficult to identify the dead body as it was burnt. It is being said that the government is afraid of "trading of dead bodies".

Notably, The government has been unable to decide to whom the dead body is to be handed over, so the administration has decided to take DNA samples of the claimants in such suspicious cases and make it a routine procedure. "We will hand over the body only after the DNA match. We suspect that due to the compensation received from the railways and the respective state governments, some people may make false claims on the dead bodies," said an official.