A father from Naivuvuni in Rakiraki is urgently seeking answers following the deaths of his son, Kushal Kumar, and his son-in-law, Sandeep Narayan, whose bodies were found floating in the sea after they went fishing two weeks ago. The tragic discovery was made about 100 meters from the shore at Navatu, with their remains found a day apart.
Dharmen Kumar, who is grieving the loss of both men, expressed his distress over what he perceives as a lack of adherence to standard protocol regarding post-mortem examinations in such situations. “Naturally, one would assume they drowned—and that is what we believed—despite the fact my son Kushal was a good swimmer,” he noted, emphasizing his confusion about the post-mortem procedures.
As preparations for the funeral rites began, family members observed that the clothes of the deceased had remained on their bodies, and no incision marks, which are typically present following a post-mortem examination, were found. Mr. Kumar raised concerns that without a thorough examination, the official determination of death by drowning cannot be accepted. “The post-mortem report stated that the cause of death cannot be ascertained,” he said, and he expressed disbelief that this conclusion could be drawn without a rigorous investigation, especially in light of visible injuries such as severe bruising and blood clots on their bodies that were not addressed in the report.
The family is demanding a formal explanation from the police regarding the decision to permit cremation without conducting the necessary examinations. Mr. Kumar also questioned the absence of forensic specialists at the scene to inspect the bodies and gather critical evidence.
In response to the family’s inquiries, police spokesperson Ana Naisoro assured them that the situation would be thoroughly investigated, and that the police would communicate with the family for additional insights. This unfolding situation underscores the need for clear and compassionate communication in the aftermath of tragedies, as families seek closure and clarity during profoundly difficult times. The hope is that the investigation will bring the Kumar family the answers they desperately need and help ensure that such incidents are handled with the utmost care in the future.