High Court rules to stop theft of corpses, skeletons digging graves

The High Court (HC) has issued a rule asking authorities concerned as to why no action will be taken to stop the theft of dead bodies and skeletons by digging graves.

The court also asked why a universal law should not be enacted for the proper supervision and protection of cemeteries.

A division bench of the High Court comprising of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah passed the order after the preliminary hearing of a writ filed on Tuesday (April 30).

The Home Secretary, Law Ministry Secretary, Local Government Ministry Secretary, Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary and Inspector General of Police have been made respondents in the writ. They have been asked to respond to the ruling within four weeks.

Supreme Court lawyer Golam Rahman Bhuiyan moved for the writ during the hearing while Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.

In this regard, lawyer Golam Rahman Bhuiyan told reporters, “The theft of dead bodies and skeletons from cemeteries in the city corporation areas and regional areas is happening constantly. Various reports in this regard have been often published in different media. Therefore, I have approached the High Court seeking directions for necessary steps to protect the cemeteries.”

Earlier on March 14, he himself filed the writ on behalf of the Human Rights and Social Development Organization. The writ was filed seeking instructions to make a law for the protection of corpses to prevent the theft of dead bodies and skeletons by digging graves.