Delhi High Court seeks report from govt on lack of facilities to cremate COVID-19 patients' dead bodies

Observing that this was violative of the rights of the dead, the court has sought a detailed status report from the Delhi government.

The Delhi High Court has taken suo moto notice of the matter related to cremation of bodies of coronavirus patients on the basis of a news report that brought to light the lack of facilities for the cremation of bodies at cremation grounds.

The report said that CNG furnaces were not functioning and bodies were returned, adding that there was a pile-up of more than 100 such bodies in the mortuary of LNJP hospital of Delhi.

Observing that this was violative of the rights of the dead, the court has sought a detailed status report from the Delhi government and also directed it that such incidents should not repeat.

During the hearing of the matter regarding issues in the disposal of bodies from LNJP Hospital, the government cited 'unavoidable circumstances' as the reason for such incidents.

It told the court that the reduced capacity of Nigambodh Ghat to handle bodies, on account of snags in furnaces was one of the reasons and added that workers at crematorium have also been refusing to handle corona affected dead bodies.

The government also stressed that there was a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Delhi and the relatives of the deceased have been refusing to come forward to claim bodies.

Informing the court about the steps taken in this regard, the state govt said that the LNJP hospital has been authorised to divert bodies to crematoriums at Panchkuian and Punjab Bagh. Wood-fired traditional cremations are also being authorized, in addition to electric and CNG furnaces, the government said, adding that PPE kits were being provided to all workers, as well as bodies.

Working hours at the crematoriums have also been extended to 7 am to 10 pm from 9 am to 4 pm, the government said.

The court was further informed that 28 bodies were disposed of on May 28, and 35 bodies would be disposed of by May 30. Only those bodies will be retained that need post mortem.

The government has assured the court that they were trying their best to avoid such circumstances in future.