Coronavirus: Petition in SC seeks stay on burial in three Mumbai cemeteries

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 2

Fearing spread of deadly COVID19, a man from Mumbai has moved the Supreme Court seeking stay on burial at three cemeteries in densely populated Bandra West area of the metropolis.

Petitioner Pradeep Gandhy has challenged a Bombay High Court order dated April 27 dismissing his plea against the permission given by BMC for the use of Bandra West cemetaries to bury dead bodies of COVID19 victims.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind—a prominent Islamic body in India—has sought to join the issue, contending that burial is an integral part of Islam. It has urged the top court to give it a hearing in the matter.

The high court had directed the BMC to remove three locks put up by local residents on April 13 at the gates of the cemetery.

The petitioner contended before SC that the present “unprecedented health situation” should to take precedence over the right to religion of COVID-19 victims’ family members.

Maintaining that his demand was precautionary in nature, he said it was imperative to be safe rather than sorry in these extraordinary times as there was no cure to COVID19.

Gandhy—whose house is situated near Konkani Muslim Kabrastan—contended that local residents were afraid of community spread of COVID19.

Citing guidelines issued by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for last rites COVID 19 victims, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said the disease is mainly transmitted through droplets.

“…there is unlikely to be an increased risk of COVID infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling body,” it contended.