Cherthala: Self-proclaimed naturopath Mohanan Vaidyar (65) who collapsed and died at a relative's house in Thiruvananthapuram the other day, has been tested Covid positive in a test conducted after death.

As the cause of death was not clear, the body was shifted to the medical college for postmortem and Covid test. The body will be brought to his residence in Cherthala and last rites will be performed there adhering to Covid protocol.

The relatives had told the police that Mohanan Vaidyar had been suffering from fever and breathing trouble since Saturday morning.

Hailing from Kottarakkara, Mohanan Vaidyar has been living in Cherthala for the last 20 years. He had ended up in several controversies after claiming to have done miraculous treatments.

Earlier, the police had booked a case for homicide against Mohanan Vaidyar after a one-year-old child affected with Propionic acidemia died during his unscientific treatment.

There was another case for campaigning through social media that the Nipah virus was a conspiracy of the pharmaceutical companies and health department.

A few months ago, the police had taken him into custody for offering fake treatment for Covid-19 and the health department had banned him from continuing practice.

Mohanan Vaidyar is survived by his wife Latha, son Rajeev and daughter Bindu.