PANJIM: Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Monday directed the North Goa Collector to issue directives to the concerned authorities to liase with the Parish Priest of St Estevam and to arrange the last rites of Fr Bismarque Dias.
The body of Dias has been preserved in the morgue at Goa Medical College for over 16 months. The GHRC directives came after it heard a complaint filed by advocate Aires Rodrigues that Dias’ body is lying without the last rites having been conducted.
Family members have been protesting the police investigation and demanding that the probe be conducted after registering the case as murder. Family members have also refused to claim the body in protest. GHRC will hear the petition further on April 20.
Rodrigues in his complaint pointed out that since November 7, 2015 when Dias was found dead at St Estevam, his body has been kept at the morgue.
Pointing out that with all the forensic tests done and the viscera report having been received the mortal remains are not required for further examination, Rodrigues submitted that Dias, who toiled for Goa must be given a fitting farewell and laid to rest with all due respect.
However, friends who are fighting a battle in the High Court to get justice for Dias said that where the last rites are concerned, the opinion of the family is more valuable than any authority.
Activist, Samir Kelekar also questioned Rodrigues’ role. “Advocate Aires is a highly capable of handing the cases, he would have done something to get justice for Fr Bismarque but he has done nothing,” Kelekar said.
Sudeep Dalvi, a friend of Dias said, “We welcome the decision but family views should be considered first.”
Kennedy Afonso said, “The prerogative of having the funeral always lies with the family, failing which the court, could direct others to intervene. Since the family has held back the funeral, for so long, there must be some reason. Was the family heard, before this judgement was passed? If not, I sincerely believe the court/collector should listen to their perspective too, before passing any orders for the final rites,” he said.
