Expedite transit of Indian citizen’s body who died in international waters: HC
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Directorate-General of Shipping and the Union Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the swift transit of the body of Gurmeet Singh, an Indian citizen who reportedly died under suspicious circumstances in international waters, approximately 250 miles off the Brazilian coast on December 12 last year.
Justice Kuldeep Tiwari further directed that a post-mortem examination was required to be conducted by a board of doctors constituted by the Mohali Civil Surgeon/Chief Medical Officer upon the arrival of the body in India before handing it over to the legal heirs for final rites.
The petitioners, legal heirs of Gurmeet Singh, had approached the high court through counsel Mahir Sood and Ashutosh Gupta seeking a direction for the expeditious transit of the body and a thorough post-mortem examination, citing suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Gurmeet Singh was employed on a ship when he passed away in international waters.
Emphasising the need for urgency in the matter and recognising the emotional and legal significance of the petitioners’ request, Justice Tiwari asserted; “Since the matter pertains to the death of an Indian citizen outside the territory of India, and his body is under transit – as mentioned in the petition, the court deems it appropriate to pass an interim mandamus (direction) upon the respondents concerned to ensure the expeditious transit of the body of the deceased.”
Justice Tiwari also issued notice of motion to the State of Punjab, the Directorate-General of Shipping, the Ministry of External Affairs and other respondents before fixing January 15 as the next date of hearing in the matter.
Justice Tiwari recorded in the order that the notice was accepted by Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain on behalf of the Directorate-General and the ministry. The notice was also accepted by State counsel Sahil R Bakshi on behalf of the Punjab Government and other some respondents.
“A compliance report be filed by the respondents concerned on or before the next date of hearing,” the court asserted before parting with the order.
