Delhi HC: More cremation infrastructure needed urgently for COVID-19 related deaths

Delhi High Court has expressed concern over delay in cremation of mortal remains of COVID-19 victims and said that more cremation infrastructure is urgently needed in national capital. Expressing displeasure with rth Delhi Municipal Corporation, high court said that corporation h alrey been granted over a week's time to put in place requisite facility which it h demolished.

"This court has expressed its concern at delayed cremation of mortal remains of pandemic related demises. Surely, more cremation infrastructure is needed urgently, while granted some more days to rth Delhi Municipal Corporation to operationalise at least two cremation platforms in Delhi's Nithari vill," a bench of Justice Najmi Waziri said on Thursday.

"A request, it is granted furr time till this Saturday to operationalise, at least, two cremation platforms. All or materials and facilities, which are requisite for performance of cremations, such as provision of wood, water, ditional shed, toilets, etc shall be ensured by rth MCD so that cremations can be carried out from Sunday onwards," bench ded.

high court was hearing a plea by vill residents, challenging corporation's move to demolish existing cremation platforms and build new sheds for same contending it does t have power to enter gram sabha land and carry out such activities. It observed that platforms constructed by corporation so far were "evidently incomplete and rudimentary".

court said that re was provision for protection from elements, like rain and sun, for even minimum number of persons who would be allowed to attend a cremation in prevailing situation.

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