Watch: Bihar woman shockingly cremated on road as shops, temple block access to crematorium

• 91-year-old Chamki Devi cremated on road due to blocked access to cremation ground
• Encroachment by shops and temple blocked traditional pathway in Vaishali, Bihar
• Officials ordered an inquiry, promising action against those responsible.

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A 91-year-old Mahadalit woman was cremated at a road intersection in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly stopped from using the traditional pathway leading to the cremation ground due to encroachment. The incident, which occurred last week in the Goraul block, has sparked outrage after videos surfaced on social media.

91-year-old woman Jhapi Devi of Vaishali district, Bihar, was cremated on a public road intersection (Sondho Andhari Gachhi Chowk), in front of a Shiva temple. Her family relatives (including son Jagdish/Sanjeet Manjhi) attempted to take her body to the village cremation ground… pic.twitter.com/RcOBPjNN6t

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The deceased, identified as Chamki Devi, was taken for cremation by her family members. However, they claimed that local shopkeepers had blocked the narrow pathway traditionally used to reach the cremation site. According to the family, repeated requests to allow them passage were ignored, forcing them to perform the last rites on the road itself.

Sanjeet Manjhi, Chamki Devi’s son, said the family had no choice. “When we were not allowed to take the body to the cremation ground, we carried out the cremation on the road,” he was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Local residents said the problem was not new. They claimed that access to the cremation ground had been gradually blocked over the years due to encroachments, including the construction of shops and the presence of a nearby temple. Villagers said such obstructions had repeatedly created difficulties during funerals, especially for families from marginalised communities.

After videos of the incident went viral, Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh visited the site along with senior police officials. Confirming the incident, she said an inspection was carried out based on information received from villagers and footage circulating online. “As seen in the videos, a body was cremated on the road. The woman was 91 years old and her name was Chamki Devi,” the District Magistrate said.

Singh said several local representatives, including the village mukhiya, panchayat samiti members and a district council member, were present during the inspection. She explained that villagers had earlier accessed the cremation ground by passing through private land. “Over time, landowners constructed shops on the land, which blocked the pathway. Because of this, people were unable to use the route, leading the family to cremate the body on the road,” she said.

The District Magistrate said discussions were held with local stakeholders to find a solution. She added that if landowners agreed and issued a no-objection certificate, the administration would arrange an alternative access route through a government scheme so that villagers could reach the cremation ground easily.

An inquiry has been ordered into the incident. A committee headed by the Deputy Development Commissioner, with the Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) and the District Welfare Officer as members, has been formed to investigate the matter. Singh said the District Welfare Officer was providing all eligible government assistance to the affected family.

She also said explanations had been sought from local administrative and police officials. “Strict action will be taken against those found responsible after the inquiry report is submitted,” the District Magistrate said.