Were Dead Bodies Of Covid-19 Affected Persons Buried Without Death Certificate? Karnataka High Court Asks State

Advocate Shridhar Prabhu informed the court that the state government had come out with detailed guidelines on April 21, 2020 for burial or cremation of covid-19 dead bodies. It was mentioned that covid confirmed dead bodies, if they are to be transported interstate or inter-district, a death certificate is required.

"Now the state government has said dead bodies can be buried in your own land. So only dead bodies which are to be transported outside the state will require a death certificate. So that implies that if you bury you do not need a death certificate now. Moreover, granite quarries are being allowed for burials", teh lawyer said.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "This aspect needs to be examined. If any person can bury a dead body without a death certificate, it will have serious consequences."

It added "So we will hear the parties on the next date. Maybe even in the cases of unnatural death the person can bury the body without a death certificate. Death certificate is required by heirs to claim various benefits also. Under the registration of Births and deaths Act it is mandatory to issue a death certificate and record a death."

The bench noted "The issue of giving dignified burial or cremation of those who die due to covid-19 has been raised. The advocate general or AGA will look into this aspect and respond on the next date." The matter will be next heard on May 20.