In Brief

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of reports showing hospitals were not properly handling deceased patients' bodies or informing relatives of deaths and cremation details. Although guidelines existed, they were not being followed, leaving grieving families unable to view bodies or perform funeral rites. The Court directed Chief Secretaries of States to immediately take remedial action and submit detailed status reports on hospital patient care, staff, and infrastructure. Hospital authorities were ordered to ensure proper implementation of dead body management protocols and provide timely notification to relatives.

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