The Kerala High Court on Friday issued notice to the State government on a public interest litigation seeking a directive to the State government to hand over the body of those who die of COVID-19 to their relatives to perform the last rites, subject to adhering to the protocol.
The petition was filed by Muhammed Haleem K.K. of Malappuram. He said that he and his relatives were not allowed to see the face of his 80-year-old mother who died of COVID-19.
According to him, there was confusion about the cremation/ burial/ last rites of persons who die of COVID-19 infection. Once a positive patient died, the Health Department took away the body to the cremation/ burial grounds where nobody was allowed to enter.
The family members were thus deprived of their right to perform the last rites of the deceased. The petitioner pointed out that Article 21 of the Constitution provided various facets of life which include the right to decent last rites to a deceased person in accordance with his/her religious beliefs.
A letter from the Editor
Dear reader,
We have been keeping you up-to-date with information on the developments in India and the world that have a bearing on our health and wellbeing, our lives and livelihoods, during these difficult times. To enable wide dissemination of news that is in public interest, we have increased the number of articles that can be read free, and extended free trial periods. However, we have a request for those who can afford to subscribe: please do. As we fight disinformation and misinformation, and keep apace with the happenings, we need to commit greater resources to news gathering operations. We promise to deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Support Quality Journalism
A letter from the Editor
Dear subscriber,
Thank you!
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Suresh Nambath
