25-year-old Rohitash Kumar fell ill and was taken to hospital in the Indian state of Rajasthan on Thursday. According to Indian media, he had had an epileptic seizure and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Instead of being sent for autopsy, he was then sent to the morgue – and from there to be cremated on a pyre according to Hindu tradition. Then he woke up.
Just before the pyre was to be lit, Rohitash's body began to move, says hospital chief D Singh to AFP.
According to Singh, the 25-year-old was alive and breathing. He was taken back to the hospital, but died a day later.
Three doctors have been suspended following the incident and the police have launched an investigation.
In Hinduism, cremation, which often takes place openly with relatives present, is seen as a way to release the soul and facilitate the reincarnation process.
