SC seeks Centre's affidavit on need for protocol on handling of dead bodies in disaster, non-disaster situations

Supreme Court on Friday asked Centre to file an affidavit within three weeks in response to a plea which sought setting up of a protocol for handling of de bodies in disaster and non-disaster situations.

A bench heed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud passed order while hearing plea by an intervenor who said he could neir see face of his de mor nor perform her last rites during pandemic despite fact that she did not die of COVID-19.

apex court was hearing a suo motu (on its own) case which was instituted during pandemic times when several reports came up on improper handling of de bodies lying in hospital mortuaries and burial and cremation grounds.

case is titled as ' Proper Treatment of COVID-19 Patients and Dignified Handling of De Bodies in Hospitals etc'.

During hearing, counsel appearing for intervenor said body of intervenor's mor was swapped and body of someone else was handed over to him by hospital.

bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, asked counsel to prepare a short note of two-three pages on issue raised by intervenor so that court can put it to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

"My prayer is for a de body management protocol for COVID and non-COVID times. re is something which needs to be looked into," counsel said.

bench said, " Union of India shall within a period of three weeks file an affidavit in response to plea of intervenor in regard to need to set up a protocol for handling of de bodies in disaster and non-disaster situations".

It posted matter for hearing in November.

While hearing matter in May, apex court h said re was a need to have a uniform national protocol for dignified handling of bodies during pandemic and non-pandemic times.