The hospital authorities finally handed the body to family members on Wednesday.

“The body could not be handed over to the family members due to some official problems. However, we released the body today,

after the jail department contacted us,” said Harekrishna Chanda, superintendent of the hospital.

Sources said that Muhamed Shahim (60), a convict serving a life term was lodged in Presidency Jail. Shamim was a resident of Beniapukur.

Shahim has been ill for quite some time and was being treated at the jail hospital.

On March 21, his condition had deteriorated.

The jail authorities immediately rushed him to M R Bangur Hospital, where he passed away in the evening.