Team Herald

PANJIM: Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has sought a report from Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, Director General of Police Dr Muktesh Chander and Dean of Goa Medical College Dr Pradeep Naik explaining why the body of Fr Bismarque Dias is lying in the morgue for over 16 months. The notice sent to the respondents is returnable on April 3.

The Commission headed by retired District Judge A D Salkar and comprising J A Keny has taken cognizance of a complaint filed by lawyer-activist Aires Rodrigues pointing out that Dias’ decomposed body is languishing in the GMC morgue since November 7, 2015.

“The mortal remains do not require further examination as all the forensic tests are done and the viscera report is also received. It is very distressing that for no reason the body of Fr Bismarque remains consigned for over 16 months in the very unhygienic and regularly malfunctional morgue, which is also infested with a huge brigade of rats and other rodents,” he submitted.   

Rodrigues drew the attention of the GHRC to a recent Supreme Court judgment that even in death a person has dignity and when one is dead, it deserves to be treated with human dignity.

Stating that the government cannot shy away from its duty in ensuring the disposal of the body and was duty bound to conduct the last rites according to the religious customs of the deceased or his last wishes if any, Rodrigues further stated that even the GMC has rules and standing instructions for disposal of a cadaver and that such kind of disrespect to the deceased cannot be tolerated any longer.