Sambhal (UP): A chilling investigation in Sambhal has uncovered what police describe as an “autopsy mafia” — a nexus of doctors, pharmacists, and morgue staff accused of manipulating postmortem reports for bribes. For as little as ₹50,000, murder evidence could be erased, causes of death altered, or files made to vanish, tilting entire criminal cases.
The Victims of Vanishing Truth
- Satyavir Singh’s fight for justice: His father, Ramvir Singh, was found dead in 2021. Bruises on the body suggested hanging, but the postmortem report mysteriously disappeared. Without it, the alleged killers walked free. “How do you fight something that’s been made to disappear?” Satyavir asked.
- Neksi Devi and Satvir Kumar’s ordeal: Daily wage labourers from Setua, they were jailed in 2023 after an autopsy wrongly claimed murder by strangulation. Police evidence suggested suicide, and a medical board later ruled the findings “inconclusive.” But only after nearly two years in jail and debts of ₹10 lakh did they get bail.
The Modus Operandi
Investigators found that:
- Signs of struggle were omitted from reports.
- Causes of death were softened (“inconclusive” instead of murder).
- Files disappeared altogether.
- Autopsy manipulation was priced at roughly ₹50,000.
The racket was exposed in June when pharmacist Madhur Arya was arrested for taking money to frame a woman’s lover instead of her family, who police believe killed her. Forensic checks of his phone revealed chats, voice notes, and payments tied to multiple cases.
A Pattern of Tampering
- In Suman’s case, police photos showed injuries across her body, but the autopsy cited only “hanging.” The doctored report was later found on Arya’s accomplice’s phone.
- In Manesh Singh’s case (2024), the initial autopsy suggested strangulation and led to murder charges. A review by the State Medico-Legal Council, however, showed a suicide, based on a single ligature mark.
Why It Matters
Postmortem reports are often the decisive factor in cases of murder, suicide, custodial deaths, or sexual assault. “Once a body is cremated, you can’t go back. If the first report is false, there’s no second chance for justice,” said senior Allahabad HC lawyer SFA Naqvi.
Crackdown & Reforms
- Arrests: Four held so far, including Arya and morgue staff.
- Seals: 31 illegal health facilities shut in Sambhal district.
- Systemic fixes: Sambhal has become the first district to upload digital copies of panchnamas, photos, and autopsy reports directly to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network (CCTNS), reducing local-level tampering.
- Warnings: SP Krishna Kant Bishnoi said doctors were complicit, not just ward boys or drivers. Repeat offenders will face the Gangster Act.
DM Rajinder Pensiya added: “The drive is real. More action will follow.”
