Human skeletons found in a room in the Unnao police lines. Human skeletons found in a room in the Unnao police lines.

Over 10 bags of human skeletons, said to contain remains of more than 100 persons, have been found in a room in the Unnao police lines, barely 60 km from Lucknow. Skulls were also found scattered in the room.

Local police officers said a hospital used to function at the spot till 2008, and that the room where the skeletons were found used to be the post-mortem area. "I have come to know that there was a hospital in this building till 2008. The police department is expected to make a report on this. We are also sending the skeletons to laboratories to find out more details," said Unnao District Magistrate Saumya Agrawal.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sought a detailed report from the state government. Dr SK Shukla, the former director of Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, said, "If these skeletons were for forensic purposes, then it should be court property and would not be bundled into bags. They would be preserved in a laboratory."

"Skeletons are usually preserved in case of metallic poisoning. But in such cases, it was supposed to be documented to identify each and every skeleton. But in Unnao's case, these skeletons have neither been preserved nor documented," Dr Shukla said.

SP Yadav, minister in-charge of Unnao, said, "I have sought a report from the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. Further probe would be done after receiving their report."

"There is nothing to hide in this case. Further action would be taken against the officers responsible for this lapse. But let us first focus on finding out why and whose skeletons are kept there", he said.

It was only last month that more than 100 bodies were seen floating in the Ganga in Unnao. Officials had claimed that members of a few castes follow the custom of throwing the remains of the unmarried deceased into the river instead of cremating them. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had said he has sought a report from the local administration. But it turned out to be a lie as the officials have not yet submitted any report to him.

Unnao is represented by controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who had left the party sore with his comments on Godse and for asking Hindu women to bear 4 children each. The town had also been in the news for gold digging expeditions after a so-called godman had dreamt of treasure.