SC refuses to entertain plea seeking probe into bodies floating in Ganga

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition seeking a detailed investigation against the concerned authorities for not taking action against those responsible for the bodies floating in the Ganga River.

The bench comprising Justices Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta noted the grisly sight of dead bodies floating on the Ganga during the peak of the second Covid wave as a "serious problem".

However, the bench granted the liberty to the petitioner's counsel to move the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

During the hearing, an advocate appearing for the petitioner contended that directions are being sought for a policy to protect the rights of the dead, in the backdrop of incidents of bodies being found in the river Ganga. The counsel argued that the petitioner's organisation took up the issue before the High Court but the needful has not been done so far.

The bench responded, "NHRC was asked to respond. You go to the NHRC. How many forums will you approach? You have already approached High Court. The High Court gave a direction. NHRC has interfered". The bench emphasized that the issues raised in the plea are serious and the NHRC is the appropriate forum to examine the matter.

NGO Trust Distress Management Collective filed a plea stressing the enactment of specific legislation, which protects the rights of the dead. The plea also urged the top court to issue guidelines to all the states and UTs to prescribe rates for cremations and ambulance services along with penal actions for non-compliance at the earliest.

The plea also cited the NHRC advisory issued on May 14, for upholding the dignity and protecting the rights of the dead, whereby 11 recommendations have been given to the Centre and all the states and UTs.

The plea also highlighted the overcharging being practised by crematoriums and ambulance service providers and argued it was directly connected with the news of bodies being dumped in the River Ganga.

Earlier on Friday, the Allahabad High Court had refused to entertain a petition seeking disposal of the dead bodies buried near Ganga River at different ghats in Prayagraj, questioning the petitioner as to whether it is the State's responsibility if there is a death in a family.

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Yadav and Justice Prakash Padia asked the Counsel Pranvesh as to what had been his personal contribution to the cause and as to whether he himself dug out and cremated the bodies.