Mananthavady (Wayanad): A controversy has erupted after the body of a foreign woman was reportedly kept in an ambulance for nearly a week at a private treatment centre here. 

The deceased, 48-year-old Mogam Kaptchu Epos Cogne, a native of Cameroon, passed away on the morning of November 20. The body was allegedly stored in a freezer inside the ambulance, which was parked in a shed adjacent to the driver's house.

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The woman had arrived at the Ayurvedic Yoga Villa in Palvelicham for treatment along with her sister. After her death, the doctor issued a death certificate, and the Thirunelly police provided a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Following the necessary formalities, the body was handed over to her sister, and arrangements were made to transport it to Cameroon after an autopsy at Kozhikode Medical College.

However, local BJP leaders, including Youth Morcha District President K. Sharath Kumar and District General Secretary C. Akhil Prem, filed a complaint with the Mananthavady ASP, alleging that the body was kept in the private ambulance from November 20 to 26. They have raised suspicions of potential organ trafficking in the absence of clear answers.

In response, the Ayurvedic Yoga Villa authorities stated that all protocols were followed in storing the body. They explained that the woman had arrived on a medical visa two months ago. Due to the lack of generator facilities at the Wayanad Government Medical College, the body was temporarily stored in a private freezer.