Family members carrying the body of a 45-year-old man on their shoulders outside Government Area hospital in Bhadrachalam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, triggered outrage after photographs and videos of the incident surfaced on social media.

The deceased was identified as Kandi Venkanna, who was admitted to the hospital after suffering a heatstroke. According to his relatives and friends, doctors immediately shifted him to the ICU and began treatment, but he died within 10 to 15 minutes of admission.

In a video released by the office of the Health Minister, Venkanna’s relatives clarified that the hospital staff had responded promptly and cooperated fully during the treatment process. “Family members had gone to make arrangements for the funeral rites. Since Venkanna’s house was located close to the hospital, his friends decided to carry the body themselves rather than wait for an ambulance or mortuary vehicle,” they said.

The relatives also alleged that as they stepped out of the hospital premises carrying the body, private ambulance drivers began taking photographs and videos of the incident.

The incident turned into a political controversy, with Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders criticising the Congress government.

Former Health Minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao questioned the functioning of the 108 ambulance and mortuary services introduced during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, calling it a reflection of the suffering faced by poor families dependent on public healthcare.  BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao also attacked the government, stating that the State had been reduced to a situation where even dignity after death was not ensured.