Patna High Court Addresses Mishandling Of Accident Victim's Body

The Patna High Court has initiated suo motu action following the circulation of a disturbing video in which three Bihar policemen were seen dumping an accident victim's body into a canal in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. The Court, led by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Rajiv Roy, expressed deep concern about the incident, stating that it reflects poorly on society.

The Court emphasized that even lifeless bodies are sacred vessels of the soul and should be treated with respect and dignity. It referred to the National Human Rights Commission's advisory on upholding the dignity and protecting the rights of the deceased.

In an order issued on October 9, the Court instructed the State government to provide information on actions taken against the police officers involved and called for the formulation of guidelines regarding the handling of deceased bodies.

The incident came to light when a video of the policemen disposing of the accident victim's remains near the Dhodhi Canal bridge went viral on social media. As a result, the three officers involved were suspended from their duties. The Court will resume consideration of the matter on October 31.

This case highlights the importance of treating deceased individuals with respect and dignity, even in the handling of their remains by law enforcement authorities.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University