Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (RJP)

Udupi, Jun 18: The dead body of a police constable was transported in a police bus on Saturday, June 17 from Udupi to distant Bagalkote. The reason cited was the unavailability of ambulance. The news has attracted widespread criticism in social media.

Mahantha Basappa (37) is the deceased person.

Basappa was working as police constable at KSRP training centre in Haveri. He was brought to Manipal a week back for treatment of kidney ailment. After he died on Friday, June 16 without responding to treatment, it was decided to take the body to his native place in Bagalkote for funeral. As the government ambulance was not available, the body was kept in the mortuary.

When no ambulance could be arranged for long, ultimately it was decided to transport the body in a KSRP bus. The photos of loading the body into the bus are being circulated in WhatsApp.

Udupi police have denied that they arranged the bus. Some police sources here blamed Mangaluru police responsible for this act. But now it is learned that KSRP Mangaluru arranged the bus. 

It is said that Basappa came from a poor family and hence ambulance was not provided for the transportation of his dead body.

But Mangaluru KSRP has denied the allegation. Janardhan, Commandant from from Mangaluru KSRP, said that as Bagalkote is very far and it would take an ambulance two days to return, the bus was arranged. He said ambulance would not carry the family of the deceased. "The arrangement was made on humanitarian grounds. There was no need to criticize us for this. A government ambulance cannot remain away for two days as it is needed here for emergency purposes." he added.