Image courtesy: kalingatv.com

A former footballer from Odisha, Naresh Akula, who was working at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Assam on June 10 last.

However, Naresh’s family members, who reside in Bhanjanagar of Ganjam district in Odisha couldn’t get his mortal remains as the body was sent to Mizoram by ONGC, according to reports.

When asked, the ONGC officials allegedly said the family members that a woman from Mizoram, named Lal Muan Kui, is a claimant for the body as her name was listed as Naresh’s wife in the official records.

It came as a shock for Naresh’s family as Naresh was already married with Arati since 2012 and they have a four-year-old daughter.

His elder brother Bishnu Akula claimed that the night before he died, he had spoken to his family staying in Bhanjanagar and expressed his desire to come back home.

Bishnu, who spoke to him, said he had advised the footballer to put off the visit as he was likely to be put in quarantine for 14 days upon arrival due to coronavirus pandemic.

Naresh Akula represented Odisha thrice in Santosh Trophy.

He was from Bhanjanagar where his wife and family members live.

He was working in ONGC at Silchar.

He died on June 10, but his dead body was sent to Mizoram.