On burying body on road, HC issues notice to BBMP

Hearing a petition challenging the burial of a body on a public road, the High Court of Karnataka issued notices to various civic and government authorities.

The petitioner, B Nagaraj, has asked the authorities to remove the body, illegally buried before his house on the eastern side close to the public road.

He urged action against the respondent Papa Reddy, who buried his father's body before his (petitioner's) house in Channakeshava Nagar along Parappana Agrahara road. Nagaraj also sought protection on account of a threat to his life by Reddy.

Nagaraj said he was involved in a civil dispute with Reddy and secured a permanent injunction against him. He said Reddy buried his father’s body before his house in an act of jealousy.

Nagaraj said he gave petitions to various authorities, but they took no action in the matter. He cited Section 392 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, which prohibits using a public or private place for disposing of a dead body without obtaining a licence from the commissioner.

Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav, while hearing the case, issued notices to the BBMP, deputy commissioner (Bengaluru district), tahsildar (Bangalore South) and police (Parappana Agrahara) in the matter.

The BBMP council told the court that he will determine if the burial site is a public road. The court issued an interim direction, asking both the parties to maintain the status quo on the eastern side of the petitioner's residence till the next date of hearing.

The court also directed the tahsildar (Bangalore South) and the police inspector (Parappana Agrahara) to ensure there are no law and order issues at the property.

It permitted the petitioner to issue hand summons to Reddy, and adjourned the case to February 25.