NHRC has issued notice to the Commissioner, MCD

New Delhi April 16, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has sent notice to the Commissioner, MCD for asking the factual report on distressing news, which said that children below three years cannot be cremated but at the same time the ghats for children were badly managed.

The report which was telecast in the electronic media by IBN Live. com on 11.4.2007 said that the family of Shantanu Sharma went to eight crematoriums across the city to perform the last rites of their fifteen months old nephew. The authorities of the crematoriums told them that children below the age of three cannot not be cremated and it was against the Hindu Law.

The news item depicts a serious malady of the system which denies proper cremation of children who may die "too young". It also highlights the poor and shabby management of Bacche wala ghat - " a land where children are laid to uneasy rest."

Taking suo-motu cognizance of news telecast through electronic media, the Commission said if the contents are true there is a serious issue of violation of human rights.

The Commission has given one week time to the Commissioner, MCD for submitting a report indicating any policy perspective /guidelines framed by the authorities in this regard.

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