Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Plea To Bring Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Mortal Remains To India

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a writ petition filed by Ashish Ray, grand nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, seeking to bring Netaji's mortal remains to India.

After the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi expressed disinclination to entertain the petition, Senior Advocate Dr AM Singhvi, the petitioner's counsel, sought to withdraw the petition.

Singhvi said that the daughter of Netaji will file a fresh petition for the same cause, instead of the grand nephew.

At the outset, the bench pointed out that similar petitions were earlier filed in the Court, which were all dismissed. "How many times will this issue come to the Court?" CJI asked. The CJI recalled that as recently as 2024, a similar matter was dismissed.

Singhvi replied that the previous petitions were seeking a declaration that Netaji was still alive and seeking an inquiry into his whereabouts. "First of all, where are the ashes?" CJI Kant asked.

Singhvi replied that every head of state from India has visited the Renkoji temple in Japan to pay obeisance to the ashes of Netaji, which are preserved there.

The CJI stated that Netaji was one of the greatest national heroes, and the Court bowed before his memory. "But, we would like to know how many family members are supporting this plea?" CJI asked.

"Netaji has only one sole heir. Sole daughter. The petitioner is the grand nephew. She (daughter) supports the petition, she is appearing online," Singhvi said.

Justice Bagchi then pointed out that the daughter was not the petitioner, and if she wanted to bring back the mortal remains, then she should come forward as a petitioner.

"But the heir is not the petitioner. Heir must come before us. She cannot fight behind the curtains. We respect their sentiments, we would ensure her sentiments are translated into legal action. But she must come forward. As far as we understand, there are disputes within the family," Justice Bagchi observed.

Singhvi said that the daughter was appearing virtually, and submitted that she was ready to speak to the Court. However, the bench refused to hear the daughter, pointing out that she was not a petitioner.

Singhvi at this point stated that the daughter will file a petition and offered to withdraw the present matter. Accordingly, the petition was dismissed as withdrawn.

Case Details : ASHIS RAY Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS| W.P.(C) No. 268/2026