The Allahabad High Court has initiated legal action on its own accord regarding a disturbing situation where a woman's skeletal remains have been stored in a morgue in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, for the past three years. The court has ordered the state government to provide a comprehensive report on this matter.

In a panel led by Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ajay Bhanot, it was noticed that the entitlement to dignified final ceremonies is an inherent aspect of Article 21 in the Constitution of India. The court also acknowledged that the woman's identity could not be verified, even though a family asserted that the remains were those of their missing daughter.

Emphasizing the rights of the deceased, the court cited a prior ruling by Justice Bhanot, which emphasized that "the silence of the deceased does not suppress their voice, and it does not diminish their rights. The law upholds their rights, and the courts uphold their rights." The court underscored that even individuals who have passed away possess the right to maintain their reputation under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The court has directed the police and state authorities to furnish details regarding the delay in carrying out the final rites, the regulations governing the time frame for conducting such rites, the sequence of events concerning the preservation of the deceased's body, and the progress of any investigations. Furthermore, the court has designated Advocate Nitin Sharma as the Amicus Curiae for this case.

This case raises significant concerns regarding the handling of human remains and the fundamental respect owed to the deceased. The court's intervention underscores the paramount importance of preserving the dignity and rights of those who have passed away, and it serves as a call to action for authorities to promptly address this matter.