PIL Moved Before Allahabad High Court Seeking Last Rites & Disposal Of Dead Bodies Found On Banks Of Ganga

A plea in the nature of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition has been moved before the Allahabad High Court seeking directions on the State of Uttar Pradesh to perform the last rites and dispose of the dead bodies buried near Ganga River at different ghats in Allahabad as early as possible.Referring to various news reports, the PIL moved by the Petitioner In-Person Advocate Pranvesh states that umpteen dead bodies have been buried at different ghats near Ganga river around Allahabad including Phaphamau, Shringaberpur, Devrakh Ghats.The plea avers that even after the publication of the news items at local as well as the National level, the State of Uttar Pradesh neither did anything so as to verify from where did the bodies came overnight in such a large number nor took any step to prevent the dead bodies from flowing these bodies into Ganga.Averments in the plea The plea submits that there are chances that these dead bodies are of COVID patients who lost their lives and that either the hospital authorities or the people have disposed of these bodies in an inhuman manner near Ganga."The act of the States is inhuman as the States have failed to provide facilities for decent burial/cremation of dead bodies and have also failed to keep a check that Holy River Ganga should not have been polluted by such an inhumane and indecent act either of individual or of States itself," the plea argues.The plea also refers to a video wherein certain persons have been seen removing the shrouds placed at the Ghats wherein dead bodies are buried. "Along with the persons removing the shrouds several other persons can be seen who appear to be State officials directing the persons to remove the shrouds," adds the plea.The plea further submits that the same has been done in order to reduce the number of dead bodies buried at Ghats as the bodies can easily be recognized through shrouds and the act on the part of the respondents in removing the shrouds is inhumane.Also, the plea further avers:"The State has failed to provide facilities for decent burial/cremation of dead bodies and have also failed to keep a check that Holy River Ganga should not have been polluted by such an inhumane and indecent act either of individual or of States itself."Yhe plea argues that due to non-performance of last rites/disposal of these bodies near Ganga, there is a likelihood of spread of diseases, and also there exists a threat of contamination of the water of Holy River GangaLastly, the plea prays that the respondents be directed to perform the cremation according to religious rites and dispose of the dead bodies buried near Ganga River at different ghats in Allahabad as early as possible and to prevent/stop the burial of dead bodies near the River Ganga.In related news, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Patna High Court seeking immediate constitution of a Special Investigating Team to investigate and submit its report to the High Court on the issue of the dead bodies found at the shore of river Ganges in Buxar district of the state.Importantly, the Youth Bar Association of India has filed a plea before the Supreme Court seeking directions for appropriate steps to be taken for the removal of dead bodies floating in River Ganga and to ensure that no one is allowed to throw bodies into any river as it may cause an environmental hazard.Filed after yesterday's observation by Bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud's, pertaining incident in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, wherein a dead body was thrown by two persons into the river, during the Suo Moto COVID case on floating dead bodies in the river, the plea further prays that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) be formulated for the proper and dignified cremation of dead bodies as per rituals.Recently, another plea was filed before the Supreme Court seeking directions for the constitution of a three-tier committee at the Centre, State, and Panchayat level to look after disposal of bodies with dignity, and to declare Ganga river bed an ecologically sensitive area, to be protected and preserved.

PIL Moved Before Allahabad High Court Seeking Last Rites & Disposal Of Dead Bodies Found On Banks Of Ganga

Sparsh Upadhyay

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