Hospital retrieves man’s body from home after it forgets to do autopsy

Authorities at the Government District Hospital here shocked a grieving family on Sunday (October 26, 2025) night by taking back the body of a deceased man from funeral preparations after realising that they had forgotten to conduct the post-mortem examination.

The body of Sadasivan, a Mundur native who died at the hospital after a month’s treatment for poisoning, was taken back to the hospital with the support of the police. Mr. Sadasivan died on Sunday and the hospital released his body to the family without conducting the post-mortem examination.

Hospital officials said that they had forgotten to conduct the post-mortem examination as he died after a month’s treatment. He was admitted to the hospital on September 25 after consuming poison.

On realising their mistake, the hospital authorities rushed to Mundur with the help of the police and took back the body for a post-mortem examination. On Monday, the body was released to the family after the autopsy.

Mr. Sadasivan’s family members alleged that the hospital authorities caused them much distress because of their omission. District medical authorities started an investigation into the incident.

The police explained to the family that the absence of a post-mortem examination could create complications in securing a death certificate.

According to the hospital authorities, the staff released the body thinking that it was a natural death after a month’s treatment.