E-Paper
SOP for dignified cremation: UP govt suggests formation of committee under DM
Family members of the deceased will also be consulted before cremation of the deceased. But, if there is any law and order problem, the committee would be free to take a decision as per the prevailing situation
LUCKNOW The 13-page SOP (standard operating procedure) submitted by the state government before the high court mentions in detail the procedure to be followed while cremating bodies in cases like the Hathras gang rape and murder.
Rakesh Kumar Rai, special secretary, home department, UP government, submitted the SOP in the court through an affidavit.
According to government sources, the state government suggested constituting a committee under the district magistrate of the district concerned where an incident (like Hathras case or any other crime) has taken place.
The committee comprising several members, including the district police chief and others, would decide on the cremation/burial of the deceased depending upon his/her religion, after considering various aspects, including law and order, suggested the government.
Family members of the deceased will also be consulted before cremation of the deceased. But, if there is any law and order problem, the committee would be free to take a decision as per the prevailing situation.
SUGGESTIONS BY THE HC
Communication to be made through e-mail or WhatsApp and such communication should be preserved for a reasonable period, of say, one year and, if during this period, any legal proceedings before the court of law or any other forum are initiated in respect of events mentioned therein, then the same shall not be deleted till disposal of such proceedings so as to avoid unnecessary complications and further litigation.
Disposal of bodies consequent to a pandemic as mentioned in the scheme/SOP is a separate issue.
It should be kept aloof from the scheme under consideration, which primarily relates to cremation of bodies as consequence of accidents or any crime.
However, the court added that if the cremation of such body consequent to an accident or crime is of a person who was affected by any such disease caused by the pandemic/epidemic, then in such a case guidelines for cremation of such bodies as applicable during pandemic/epidemic would prevail over the scheme/SOP in question.
