Maha: Inquest can be waived if suspected COVID-19 patient dies

Mumbai, Apr 7 () The Maharashtra government saidon Tuesday that the police can decide not to conduct inquestafter the death of a suspected coronavirus patient athospital.

As the doctors and paramedical staff as well as policepersonnel can contract coronavirus infection during theinquest procedure, this waiver was being granted, said aGovernment Resolution (GR) issued by the Home Department.

The number of coronavirus cases in the state crossed1,000 on Tuesday, while 64 persons have died.

Inquest is an inquiry by a coroner's court into thecause of a death. Under section 174 of the Criminal ProcedureCode, it is mandatory for the police to conduct inquest in thecase of unnatural death.

But in view of the present situation, there is fearthat doctors, nurses and police personnel may contract theinfection during inquest (which can involve autopsy), the GRsaid.

Therefore, the police officers can decide not toconduct inquest after consulting concerned doctors when asuspected COVID-19 patient dies at hospital, it said.

The GR will be in operation as long as provisions ofthe Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, and Disaster Management Act,2005, are in force in the state, it added. DC ARUKRK KRK