I’puram: A retired IAS officer has buried the body of his dead wife in one of the plots in the area as residents want the body exhumed and buried elsewhere.
Picture used for representative purpose only
The displeasure amongst residents of Shakti Khand II in Indirapuram over the burial of a woman in the residential area refuses to wear away, with residents running from pillar to post to get the body exhumed and buried elsewhere.
Residents of the area met the vice-chairman of Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on June 5 and requested her intervention in the issue. Residents told City Spidey said that it was unacceptable to have a grave amid houses.
They also question the land use of plot no B-170 where the grave has been made. They say that the land was allotted for residential use and, thus, cannot be used as a graveyard. They have also demanded the cancellation of this plot.
Resident of the Ghaziabad neighborhood were taken aback on June 4 after Tulsi Gaur, a retired IAS officer and a resident of Loni, buried the body of his late wife Sheela Gaur in one of his plots in the area. Gaur owns three plots and he has constructed buildings on two of them. According to sources, Gaur's wife was ill and had died a natural death while undergoing treatment in a hospital.
Gaur told officials of the district administration who were investigating the issue that the plot was registered in his wife’s name and it was her dying wish to be buried in the plot. He even said that the district administration could issue notices in case of any public grievance and that he would deal with them in court.
Residents of the area have also raised objections and doubts over the incident and said that it may involve conspiracy. Speaking to City Spidey, Krishan Chaudhary, a resident of Shakti Khand II, said that there are various issues which are connected with a grave such as the children of the neighborhood being wary about spirits visiting the area. “There are separate places for separate purposes. One cannot just dig a grave near residences. We also called the police when Gaur and his family members tried to light candles near the grave,” Chaudhary added.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Godbole, secretary of GDA, is not clear on terms of land use. He told City Spidey that the Authority had allotted the plot for residential purposes but did not have any guidelines barring the usage of the land as a graveyard. When asked if the GDA had any separate guidelines or rules for usage of land as graveyards or crematoriums, Godbole said that there were none. “We have also responded to the queries of the district administration over the issue,” Godbole added.
Officials of the Niti Khand police post said that the police has asked for reports from the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi where Gaur’s wife was admitted and was undergoing treatment before she passed away.
“It is a civil matter and the police will act on the directions of the district administration,” said Anil Yadav, incharge of the police post.
