The body of the Jharkhand capital’s first Covid-19 victim, who died on Sunday morning, was buried at the Hindpiri graveyard near his home on Monday afternoon — some 30 hours after his death.

All through Sunday, residents near graveyards at Bariatu, Ratu Road and Doranda had refused to allow the body of the 60-year-old man to be buried, fearing the spread of contagion.

Late on Sunday night, when a large group gathered near Jumar bridge based on rumours that the body would be buried there, police had to swiftly intervene and scotch the rumours.

Finally, around 2.30pm on Monday, the body was buried at the Hindpiri grounds in a space demarcated for the burial of children.

It was a low-key affair in which very few people were present other than police personnel and some social workers.

Certain rituals such as bathing the body could not be performed as they were not allowed under the government’s guidelines for the disposal of Covid-19 fatalities.

“Before and after the burial, the place was properly sanitised,” a resident of the locality said.

Sub-divisional officer Lokesh Kumar Mishra said the body was buried 15 feet under the ground with a directive to get the site cemented in order to follow safety protocols.

The man’s wife, who also contracted the Covid-19 infection, is being treated at RIMS.

Contacted on the problem that occurred in the burial of the body, Ranchi deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray said: “This was a first-of-its kind incident for us.”

He added that the administration has identified a burial site under should there be more fatalities and should such circumstances recur, but it would not be proper to disclose the location at present.