Authorities at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, Punjab, have initiated an investigation following a disturbing incident where a stray dog was seen carrying the severed head of an infant on the hospital premises. The discovery occurred on the evening of August 26, 2025, near Ward No. 4, sending shockwaves through patients and staff.
Incident Details
The infant was a stillborn delivered at the hospital earlier that week. The father, identified as Girdhari Lal, a migrant worker residing in Patiala, reportedly left the body near the hospital's biomedical waste dump after being unable to afford funeral expenses. The body was subsequently accessed by stray dogs.
Hospital officials confirmed that the body had not been handed over to the mortuary as per standard protocol. The Rajindra Hospital management stated that an inquiry has been initiated to determine how the body was left unattended and why biomedical waste management rules were not followed in this case.
Police Action
Patiala police officials have taken cognizance of the incident and are verifying facts. Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the hospital campus to understand how the remains were accessed by stray dogs.
Medical and Ethical Concerns
Medical experts note that standard practice for handling stillbirths involves either hospital-facilitated cremation or returning the body to the family for last rites, in line with bioethical and public health guidelines. Improper disposal of fetal remains not only violates these protocols but also raises risks of biohazard exposure.
Government Response
The incident has prompted immediate attention from authorities. Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh visited the hospital and instructed that in future, parents unable to conduct proper last rites should hand over stillborns to the hospital for proper burial. He also mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at garbage sites, strengthening security, and improving the control of stray dogs around hospital premises. Dr. Singh chaired a meeting with top officials, aiming to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Similar Incidents Elsewhere
A similar incident occurred earlier this year on March 13, 2025, in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, where a stray dog was filmed carrying the body of a newborn near Jaystambh Chowk. Police recovered the remains and launched an investigation to trace who had abandoned the infant.
Another incidence was reported from the national capital as well where a headless and mutilated body of a newborn child was found at a park in Delhi's Rohini area on August 4 after locals found some stray dogs carrying it and subsequently alerted the police.
Hospital authorities have stated that they are cooperating with police investigations and will take corrective measures to ensure similar incidents do not recur. The incident has sparked discussions around stricter enforcement of biomedical waste management and better counseling for families experiencing stillbirth, particularly for those facing financial hardship.
(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)
