Teesha
A Delhi based organisation, Disaster Management Collective approached the Supreme Court to uphold the dignity of the dead and penalise the people profiting from over-charging those affected by COVID-19 for even performing their last rites.
The petition contended that the court should issue directions to the government to enact a specific legislation or policy to protect the rights of the dead.
The plea filed through Advocate Jose Abraham apprised that “It was primarily due to exorbitant amounts asked for cremation and ambulances and services that scores of people decided to put the bodies of their beloved in river Ganga”
Mr. Abraham said the anti-social elements were swindling COVID-affected families and patients in their hour of dire need during an unprecedented health crisis, be it being charged tripled for ambulances or for any other service, which has compelled the filing of the petition.
Stating that the National Human Rights Commission on May 14th, issued an advisory to protect the dignity of the dead, the plea stated-
“There is a need to enact a specific legislation that protects the rights of the dead… There is also a need for issuance of guidelines to all the States and Union Territories to prescribe rates for cremations and ambulance services along with penal actions for non-compliance at the earliest,”
The NGO reflected that it had earlier moved the High Court of Delhi, which gave it liberty to approach the local bodies, however till date no municipal body or centre have responded to its representation, which made it clear to the petitioner that no firm action could be expected.
