PIL at SC seeking repatriation of bodies of Indians died of Non-Covid causes

Pravasi Legal Cell v Union of India, 25th April, 2020.

Pravasi Legal Cell filed a Public Interest Litigation before the Hon’ble Supreme Court seeking removal of obstacles in the process of repatriation of bodies of Indian expatriates who died due to accidents and Non-Covid related ailments. The PIL sought withdrawal of a direction from the Govt. of India, which made a No-Objection-Certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs mandatory for repatriation of bodies of Indian expatriates who died of Non-Covid causes.

As a result of the said direction, mortal remains of a few persons which arrived at the Delhi Airport from UAE were sent back to UAE. It created an uproar among the Pravasi Community, especially in the Middle East.

In this background, PLC approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court to withdraw this new requirement of an NOC from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The filing of the petition by PLC was widely reported in the National media and on the same day evening, Govt. of India withdrew the said requirement. The issue was resolved without warranting the interference of judiciary.

Status of the Matter: The Central Government subsequently withdrew the direction and the petition was withdrawn.