For post-mortem a father carries his daughter's body on a bicycle
(Case No.55/12/0/2011)

Suo motu cognizance was taken of a media report carrying the photograph of a father taking his daughter's body for post mortem on his bicycle. The report published on the 11th January, 2011 mentioned that Sohaga, aged 16 years died, allegedly after consuming poison. She was the daughter of Gokul Gond, a poor farmer, resident of Dudhmunia village, District Annupur, Madhya Pradesh. The local police did the panchnama of her body and left, telling the father to get the autopsy done on his own, as there was no vehicle available with them. Thereafter, Gokul Gond, put his daughter's body on a makeshift bier, tied it to his bicycle and trekked 14 km to Anuppur, the district headquarters for the post-mortem. His ordeal ended 3 Km short of the post-mortem centre when some residents of Anuppur called a local Congress MLA, who took him to the Office of the Superintendant of Police. Thereafter, a hearse was arranged to carry Sohaga's body. The Commission on the 12th January, 2011 observed that the issue, if true, amounts to the violation of the human rights of the deceased. Accordingly, notices were issued to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh seeking their reports in the matter. They were also asked to inform the Commission about the steps being taken to prevent any recurrence of such a situation.