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They even prevent the last rites from being performed until their demands are met. But now, the government has taken strict measures to curb this. Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to implement the ‘Respect for Dead Bodies Act, 2023’.
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New Delhi: In India, protesting with the body of a deceased person after a murder or accident has become a common practice. Whether it's a death in a road accident or negligence in an investigation, people gather in large numbers, placing the body on the road.
They even prevent the last rites from being performed until their demands are met. But now, the government has taken strict measures to curb this. Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to implement the 'Respect for Dead Bodies Act, 2023'.
This new law will crack down on political or any other kind of protests involving dead bodies. Under this law, engaging in such activities can result in imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 5 years, along with a fine.
Rajasthan becomes the first state to implement the law
The notification issued by the BJP government of Rajasthan includes provisions for strict punishments, keeping in mind recent incidents.
Using a dead body for protests by non-family members can lead to imprisonment of 6 months to 5 years, along with a fine.
However, if family members of the deceased give permission for such protests or participate themselves, they may face a maximum sentence of 2 years.
Strict punishment for refusing to accept the body
According to the government notification, if the family refuses to accept the body after a 24-hour notice from the magistrate, they may face imprisonment of up to 1 year, a fine, or both.
In such cases, the police will take custody of the body, conduct a post-mortem examination with videography, and arrange for the last rites through local authorities.
This provision has been introduced to prevent cases where bodies are misused for demanding compensation or other demands.
Clear guidelines for hospitals and police
The new law instructs police stations to seize bodies in suspicious cases, inform the magistrate and District Superintendent of Police, and arrange for examinations at authorized hospitals.
Hospitals will not be able to withhold bodies due to outstanding bills. Meanwhile, the disposal of unclaimed bodies will be carried out under the Rajasthan Anatomy Act, 1986. This includes the creation of a genetic databank and digital tracking of unidentified deaths.
