Unable to afford cremation, Ankleshwar family leaves daughter’s body at hospital

A 22-year-old woman’s death in Surat has brought into focus the acute financial distress faced by many tribal families. Kajal Mahesh Vasava, a resident of Navi Vasahat near Sagbara Phatak, had suffered severe injuries after a fall near the Karev village gate about a month ago. She was treated at Bharuch Civil Hospital and later shifted to Surat Civil Hospital on 18 November, where she died on 26 November.

When hospital staff informed her family of her death, they left the ward without taking the body. Doctors, taken aback by the abandonment, alerted the Civil Hospital police outpost. Ankleshwar police later traced the family, who work as daily-wage labourers.

Family cites inability to afford final rites

During questioning, family members broke down and said they had neither the money to take Kajal’s body home nor the means to conduct her final rites. They told police that they had lost all hope of giving her a dignified farewell.

Police, volunteers come together to help

Constable Lakshman Vasava shared the family’s situation on a tribal police group, prompting an immediate response. Police personnel raised more than ₹35,000 to cover funeral and ambulance expenses. Community volunteers, including Pradeep Vasava, his friends, and Rakesh Vasava from Godadara Police Station, also stepped in to assist.

Their collective efforts ensured that Kajal’s body was transported to her native village with dignity, where her last rites were carried out respectfully.

Incident highlights ongoing deprivation

Kajal’s father, overwhelmed with emotion, said he never imagined he would be able to perform his daughter’s final rites and described the officers who helped as “angels”. The incident underscores the deep poverty that persists in tribal communities, contrasting sharply with official claims of development and inclusive growth.