<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday registered a Suo Motu case in order to ensure proper treatment and dignified handling of dead bodies of COVID-19 patients in the country.</p>.<p>Chief Justice of India S A Bobde took Suo Motu cognisance of the matter as several reports emerged showing disrespect to the dead bodies, which is in gross violation to Article 21 of the Constitution.</p>.<p>The CJI assigned the matter to a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah for passing necessary directions on Friday.</p>.<p>Recently, a video of government workers throwing body of a COVID-19 patient and dumping into a grave has caused massive outrage in Puducherry.</p>.<p>Reports also emerged in several cases where even the family members were not willing to take the body of the patient for the last rites.</p>.<p>Notably, the Supreme Court in Pt Parmanand Katara case (1995) held that the right to dignity and fair treatment under Article 21 of the Constitution is not only available to a living man but also to his body, after his death.</p>.<p>Right to decent burial or cremation is also recognised in Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan Vs Union of India (2002) by the Supreme Court.</p>.<p>The Delhi High Court had also recently taken Suo Motu cognisance violation of human rights, after noting reports showing piles of undisposed bodies of those who died of COVID-19 in hospitals, mortuary and crematoriums in the national capital. </p>
<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday registered a Suo Motu case in order to ensure proper treatment and dignified handling of dead bodies of COVID-19 patients in the country.</p>.<p>Chief Justice of India S A Bobde took Suo Motu cognisance of the matter as several reports emerged showing disrespect to the dead bodies, which is in gross violation to Article 21 of the Constitution.</p>.<p>The CJI assigned the matter to a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M R Shah for passing necessary directions on Friday.</p>.<p>Recently, a video of government workers throwing body of a COVID-19 patient and dumping into a grave has caused massive outrage in Puducherry.</p>.<p>Reports also emerged in several cases where even the family members were not willing to take the body of the patient for the last rites.</p>.<p>Notably, the Supreme Court in Pt Parmanand Katara case (1995) held that the right to dignity and fair treatment under Article 21 of the Constitution is not only available to a living man but also to his body, after his death.</p>.<p>Right to decent burial or cremation is also recognised in Ashray Adhikar Abhiyan Vs Union of India (2002) by the Supreme Court.</p>.<p>The Delhi High Court had also recently taken Suo Motu cognisance violation of human rights, after noting reports showing piles of undisposed bodies of those who died of COVID-19 in hospitals, mortuary and crematoriums in the national capital. </p>
