NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported piling up of unclaimed dead bodies in the mortuary of Raipur District Hospital, Chhattisgarh, due to lack of space for their last rites

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 18th September, 2025

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported piling up of unclaimed dead bodies in the mortuary of Raipur District Hospital, Chhattisgarh, due to lack of space for their last rites

Observes the dead also deserve last rites with dignity in accordance with their religion

Issues notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, calling for a detailed report within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a number of unclaimed dead bodies are piled up in the mortuary of the District Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh as there is no place allotted for their last rites, which are being performed by an NGO. Reportedly, three unidentified bodies have not been sent even for post-mortem examinations since last week.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights as the dead also deserve the last rights with dignity in accordance with their religion. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

The Commission had also issued an advisory in 2021 for upholding the dignity and protecting the rights of the dead. It said that it is a well- accepted legal position that the right to life, fair treatment and dignity, derived from the Article 21 of the Constitution of India, extends not only to the living persons but also to their dead bodies.

According to the media report, carried on 9th September, 2025, the district administration had allocated three acres of land for the last rites of unclaimed bodies about three years ago, where the last rites of over 800 unclaimed bodies were performed by the said NGO. Reportedly, the land could be re-used after refilling of the soil, but no action has been taken by the district administration so far.

*****