UP DGP orders ‘honourable treatment’ of unidentified bodies

Director general of police OP Singh has taken a serious note of instances in which policemen were allegedly found dishonouring bodies, especially unidentified ones, after incidents or mishaps in Uttar Pradesh.

Director general of police OP Singh has taken a serious note of instances in which policemen were allegedly found dishonouring bodies, especially unidentified ones, after incidents or mishaps in the state. To set things right, the state police chief has issued a circular with instructions for proper treatment of bodies and ensuring that last rites are performed in accordance with the religion of the deceased.

To set things right, the state police chief has issued a circular with instructions for proper treatment of unidentified bodies and ensuring that last rites are performed in accordance with the religion of the deceased.(HT File Photo)

The DGP remarked such incidents gave the police a bad name. In the circular dated February 8, Singh mentioned that the bodies, especially the unidentified ones, were not given proper honour despite regular instructions by the National Human Rights Commission, the State Human Rights Commission, the high court and the police headquarters.

“The circular has been forwarded to all districts of the range with strict instructions for proper treatment and honour to the bodies. It will be ensured that the allotted budget is properly used for cremation and other purposes. Strict action will be taken against policemen if they are found involved in dishonoring the bodies.”

-Mohit Agarwal, IG (Range), Prayagraj

According to the circular, police personnel have been instructed to ensure all means to establish the identity of such bodies and use social media, the ‘trinetra app’ and forward the details to the District Crime Record Bureau and the State Crime Record Bureau.

The senior superintendents and superintendents of police all districts should ensure the budget given to each district for the purpose is received and distributed among all police stations, the circular said. If the allotted budget is not enough, senior officials should write to the police headquarters for more funds, it added.

The DGP also asked senior police officials, including circle officers, to review the allotted budget during monthly inspection of the police stations.

As per the circular, a total budget of ₹37.82 lakh was allotted in the financial year 2018-19 for the disposal of unidentified bodies. A sum of ₹2700 was provisioned for disposal of each body.