PIL before Patna HC sought for SIT probe on issue of dead bodies found at shore of Ganges

A Public Interest Litigation has been moved before Patna High Court regarding the issue of dead bodies which had been found at the shore of river Ganges in the district of Buxar, Patna.

The petition has sought for immediate constitution of a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to investigate the issue and submit its report to the High Court.

In the instant case, a number of bloated and decomposed dead bodies had been found at the shore of river Ganges and the discovery of same has created a chaos amongst the residents of Buxar and has made them vulnerable.

The plea averred that the said issue has triggered fear in the people residing on the banks of river Ganges as it has been reported by the officials that the said dead bodies are likely to be of the patients who have passed away due to the COVID.

The plea also stated that the people are in fear because they rely heavily on river Ganges for drinking water. They also pointed out that the stray dogs and birds have been found feeding on such bodies and wandering around the places situated near river Ganges.

The petitioner has mentioned in the plea that Ministry of Health and Family Welfare anticipated that even the dead body of corona patient is expected to bear the coronavirus and when the same is fed upon by the dogs and birds, it makes the residents even more vulnerable to the virus.

This has also affected the sale of fishes which have been caught from the river Ganges, averred petitioner in his plea.

The petitioner also brought before the issue of unavailability of wood for the cremation purpose and submitted that since there is no official to keep a check on the crematoriums and graveyards, the kins of dead corona patients are being charged exorbitantly for performing the last rites.

The petitioner has sought for strict actions against the respective officials; immediate vaccination of people residing on the banks of river Ganges; door-to-door testing; availability of clean drinking water; and directions to clean the contaminated river body, along with constitution of SIT.