High drama as 'two wives' of deceased Odisha constable stake claim on body 

In a shocking incident, a tug of war broke out between two sides staking claims over the body of a patient near the post-mortem house on the premises of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Wednesday.

As per reports, a police constable identified as Abhaya Behera of Phulnakahara traffic outpost was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after being injured in an accident. However, he died during treatment last night.

The decreased reportedly has two wives. The first wife, whose divorce case is reportedly still sub-judice, was hell-bent on taking the body. However, the deceased’s mother and the second wife opposed the first wife’s claim on the body. 

Abhaya’s mother said, "My son’s first wife left us and thereafter the family was in distress as my husband passed away. My son married for the second time to look after the family. I cannot give the body to her.”

The second wife of the deceased lamented, “When my husband was on ventilator support at the hospital after the accident, his first wife was not seen. She had left him seven years ago. Now, she claims the body to get financial benefits. My family has every right to claim the body. The body should be handed over to us.”

The first wife of the deceased said, "I have court documents about who abandoned whom. The world knows who is his wife. The court knows. We are not divorced as yet. I am legally wedded. I should be given my husband’s body.”